BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR STRATEGY
BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR
The YMCA Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC) strategy builds on, and invests in, pathways to success to help boys and young men of color reach their full potential.
BYMOC
Boys and young men of color live in a different America, an America that both sees and treats them differently, resulting in a unique set of barriers to reaching their full potential. At the Y, we believe that all youth deserve the opportunity to thrive. That’s why we’re committed to building sustainable pathways for success through the
YMCA Boys and Young Men of Color Strategy (BYMOC).
BYMOC focuses on youth during critical transition points in their lives, specifically the ages of 11-17. During adolescence, as boys of color mature and become more independent, their existing support systems in homes, schools and communities can often become distant or inaccessible to them, leaving them vulnerable and disconnected.
BYMOC is an intentional effort to shift attitudes and outcomes for the people, environments, and systems that influence these young men’s lives. The support and advocacy of caring, reliable adults coupled with the implementation of purposeful strategies will inspire and transform participants’ personal identities, equipping them with the tools they need to overcome obstacles. We are working to create a culture of care that demonstrates affirmation and sets an expectation that we believe in boys and young men of color and expect to see great things from them in their future endeavors.
IMPLEMENTATION
The BYMOC Strategy is designed for flexible implementation through policies, practices, and programs that can be defined by the needs of each community and Y, including the following areas.
Education
- Impact their attitudes toward education
- Empower them to believe in their capabilities
- Prepare them with the skills to achieve academic success
College & Career Readiness
- Create pipelines to connect them with post-secondary education and meaningful jobs
- Provide work-based learning experiences, financial education, skills development, career and college planning and resource navigation opportunities
Character Development
- Create experiences and environments that strengthen social-emotional competencies
- Support character development across the Y's core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility
Belonging and Community Building
- Help them build healthy relationships with peers and adults
- Foster their positive cultural and self-identity
- Support opportunities for community connections and civic engagement
Health and Wellbeing
- Help them develop healthy physical and eating habits
- Teach them about lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic conditions in adulthood such as diabetes and heart disease
- Combat their experiences with food insecurity
OUR REACH
Embedded in 10,000 communities across the country, YMCAs are
uniquely positioned to operationalize this approach through frontline
practitioners who are able to directly effect change in a culturally
responsive manner. BYMOC is operationalized through a cohort
of local YMCAs that will grow to include 100 cities and engage
10,000 boys and young men of color by 2024.
Want to get involved and be a part of this movement? Please contact us: