Why Our Work Matters
MENTORSHIP
Guiding the next generation
Mentorship provides young boys with the guidance, encouragement, and positive role models they need to navigate life’s challenges and discover their full potential. By creating safe spaces for growth, learning, and connection, mentorship helps build confidence, character, and resilience—empowering boys to become strong, responsible, and purpose-driven men.
Literacy Rates
In the United States, boys are significantly more likely than girls to struggle with literacy. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 43% of 8th-grade boys were reading at or above a proficient level in 2022, compared to 56% of girls. The gap begins early and often widens with age—by high school, many boys have fallen behind, not just in reading skills, but in confidence and motivation to learn.
Low literacy rates among boys can have lasting consequences. Struggles in reading are closely linked to academic failure, dropout rates, and limited career opportunities. Boys who fall behind in literacy are more likely to disengage from school, face behavioral issues, and experience diminished self-esteem. As they transition into adulthood, these challenges can translate into higher unemployment rates, lower lifetime earnings, and even increased involvement in the criminal justice system—a cycle that disproportionately affects underserved communities.
Lack of Mentorship
Too many young boys grow up without a consistent, supportive male role model in their lives. According to MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, 1 in 3 young people in the U.S. grows up without a mentor outside their family. For boys—especially those in underserved or single-parent households—this lack of positive guidance can significantly limit their emotional development, academic performance, and sense of identity.
Research shows that youth with a mentor are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, and more than twice as likely to hold a leadership position in a club or sports team. Mentored youth also report higher levels of self-confidence, better relationships with peers and adults, and a stronger belief in their ability to succeed.
THE IMPACT
How we help fill the gap
When boys are given strong mentorship and access to literacy support early in life, they’re not just learning to read—they’re learning to lead. They develop the confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking abilities needed to grow into responsible, resilient men who can build stable futures for themselves and their communities.
The Vision
Without mentorship, many boys are left to navigate the pressures of growing up without support—leading to poor decision-making, disengagement from school, and increased risk of substance abuse or violence. Over time, this lack of guidance can shape who they become as men—impacting their careers, relationships, and their ability to lead healthy, productive lives.
Mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it’s about transformation. With the right role models, boys learn to believe in their potential, overcome adversity, and develop into men who lead with purpose, empathy, and resilience.
The Purpose
Literacy opens the door to knowledge, opportunity, and self-expression, while mentorship provides the guidance, encouragement, and real-life wisdom needed to navigate life’s challenges. Together, they empower young men to believe in themselves, make positive choices, and build a future rooted in purpose, resilience, and leadership.
