top of page
slazzer-preview-s5dkc.png

Donate

Your support helps create a safe, consistent space for boys and men to grow, heal, and lead.
While this program is free for families, donations help cover meals, materials, and mentorship resources. Every contribution directly supports community-based programming.

Issues

  •  Black students in Ohio are 4.3 times more likely than white students to face suspension or expulsion. In Cincinnati, Black students represent 93% of out-of-school suspensions and 89% of police referrals in schools.​

  • Black youth represent 56% of the Department of Youth Services' juvenile population in Ohio, despite making up a smaller percentage of the overall youth population.​

  • In 2024, 24 juveniles were shot in Cincinnati, including 5 fatalities, marking a significant increase from the previous year.​

Program History

​

Founded in 2017, BoyZ II Men is a transformative mentoring initiative dedicated to developing character, leadership, emotional intelligence, and accountability among boys and young men.

​

The mission of BoyZ II Men is to empower and support low-income youth, particularly boys and young men in grades 6–12, by providing mentorship, leadership development, and guidance toward higher education and lifelong success. The program equips participants with the tools, confidence, and self-awareness needed to overcome challenges and become productive, emotionally grounded leaders in their communities.

​

Since its inception, BoyZ II Men has served youth across residential care, independent living, and community-based settings, adapting its model while maintaining consistent core values and outcomes.

Former Partner ​Boys Hope Girls Hope​

BoyZ II Men partnered with Boys Hope Girls Hope, a private group home, academic, and leadership organization, providing mentoring and leadership programming to young men in residential care.

  • Served 100+ young men over the course of the partnership

  • Focus areas included leadership development, emotional intelligence, accountability, and college readiness

While the organizations are no longer formal partners, this collaboration represents a significant chapter in the program’s growth and demonstrated impact.

​

Partnership Changing Lives Youth Services

Group Home & Independent Living Program (Current)

BoyZ II Men currently provides mentoring, leadership development, emotional wellness, and life skills programming for young men in:

Programming addresses the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of system-involved youth, with a strong focus on emotional regulation, conflict resolution, manhood development, and preparation for independent adulthood.

These services are delivered through a private contractual partnership and remain an active component of the BoyZ II Men program.

BoyZ II Men × New Vision After School Program

​

BoyZ II Men has launched a community-based mentoring program in partnership with the New Vision After School Program, hosted at

 

New Vision Methodist Church. Location: 4400 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

Schedule: Every Monday | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

 

This program operates weekly and continuously, with a long-term commitment to consistency, rain, sleet, snow, or shine. It is designed to be a permanent, recurring safe space for boys and young men in the community. Programming is delivered alongside Pastor Peter E. Matthews, strengthening trust, faith-based community support, and continuity of mentorship.

  • Completely free to participants

  • Open-access, community-based mentoring

  • No end date,  ongoing support

​

Program Structure 

  • Ages Served: 9–18 (youth) and 18–70 (community mentors & participants)

  • Capacity: Small cohorts for individualized attention

  • Method:

    • Interactive workshops

    • Hands-on activities

    • Group discussions

    • Consistent mentorship and accountability

Each session is intentionally designed to build emotional maturity, self-awareness, and leadership skills in a safe, supportive environment.

 

Health & Wellness Integration 

BoyZ II Men takes a holistic approach to youth development, recognizing the strong connection between physical health, mental wellness, and emotional regulation.

Health and wellness programming includes:

​

  • Track-Based Training: Focused movement activities emphasizing endurance, discipline, goal setting, and mental resilience.

  • Circuit Training: Structured fitness stations promote strength, coordination, accountability, and teamwork.

  • Light Workouts: Age-appropriate exercises that build confidence, consistency, and healthy routines.

 

Each physical activity is paired with guided discussions on stress management, emotional control, discipline, leadership, and decision-making.

    Program Themes & Focus Areas

​

 Each session is designed to build emotional maturity, accountability, and leadership through interactive discussions and hands-on activities.​​

​

  • Discovering My Journey: Encouraging self-exploration and goal setting.​

  • Influence Understanding circles of influence and learning how to make positive choices amidst peer pressure.​

  • Setting Expectations: Establishing personal core values, boundaries, and standards for growth.​

  • Defining Manhood: Exploring modern concepts of masculinity and what it means to be a man today.​

  • The Man Box: Challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.​

  • Cry Like A Man: Encouraging Healthy Emotional Expression and Breaking Emotional Barriers.​

  • Emotional Incarceration: Addressing the long-term effects of emotional suppression.​

  • Expressing My Emotions: Learning tools for effective emotional communication.​

  • What Do I Do When I'm Angry? Teaching anger management and conflict resolution

strategies.​

  • How to Deal with Conflict: Building constructive problem-solving and communication skills.

  • ​Team Building Exercises Promoting cooperation, trust, and unity among participants.

Our Volunteers

Our program is powered by a team of dedicated volunteers who are committed to supporting the growth and success of young men in our community. Volunteers serve as mentors, role models, and facilitators, guiding participants through interactive workshops, hands-on activities, and personal development exercises.

​

What Volunteers Do:

  • Provide one-on-one mentorship and guidance

  • Lead group discussions and interactive activities

  • Support goal setting, personal growth, and accountability

  • Serve as positive role models and community leaders

  • ​

Join Us:
We welcome community members who are passionate about empowering young men to become confident, responsible, and successful individuals. Our volunteers receive training and ongoing support to ensure a meaningful and impactful experience.

bottom of page