·           Mission Statement

The Boys 2 Men initiative of COTR is designed to assist families in the process of developing boys into emotionally competent, fully responsible men who are assets to their families, communities, and the younger generations who follow behind them.  The vision driving the mission includes men making themselves available in the cause of helping boys to become healthy, motivated, responsible, informed and capable men of noble character.

Squads are comprised of a Squad Leader, Assistant Squad Leader, Leader in Training and 3 boys between the ages 7 and 10.  These squads will use an activity-based curriculum designed to foster the kinds of qualities delineated in the Mission Statement. 

While we will start with boys in the 7-10 age category, subsequent plans will include boys in the 11-14 and 15-18 age categories.  At the time of the initial program introduction, hand-selected teens will be used as "leaders in training" prior to the rollout to the higher age categories. Specific goals, objectives and success criteria will be developed for each age category.

Pictured here: Father's Day 2008. The boys from the program and many from the surrounding community took vows of Fatherhood, pledging to be Faithful, Affirming, Trustworthy, Honorable, Engaged and Responsible toward God and their own families when they step into the sacred role of FATHER.  See the New Haven Register write-up; click here.

Topical  Overview of Curriculum:

Health and Fitness -  personal grooming and hygiene, healthy eating, exercise, sports, etc.

Relationships - teamwork, anger management, peer influences, inappropriate behaviors from others, doing the right thing when faced with making decisions, etc.

Spirituality - introduce boys to a biblical, moral and responsible perspective of life.

Personal Development - in areas of academics, the arts, dealing with emotions, communication, organizational habits, responsibility, etc. 

Stewardship- teach time management, helping people that are less fortunate, money literacy {saving, managing money and tithing}, opening  a savings account, learning about the stock market, creating an investment club that invest in stocks

Tech Lab – Topics to educate and train in a variety of technical areas (e.g., internet safety and security, carpentry, cooking, minor auto repair, plumbing, etc.)

For the Parents – Assist parents by providing instruction in parenting skills.

Click Here for video highlights of the 2007 Pinewood Derby.

Click Here for video highlights of 2007 hands on instruction in interior painting.

Click Here for article in New Haven Independent about the Night at the Museum.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT BOYS 2 MEN DIRECTOR, MICHAEL BROOKS AT MBrksConsulting@aol.com