After half a year of hiatus, the Boys to Men after school enrichment program is starting back up at John Muir Middle School. Staff and students are excited by its return.  The program will begin this week and run Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.  Executive director and founder Mr. Rector will be heading a new cast of volunteers with an old school commitment to Teaching Young Men Excellence!  Come out and support or spread the word to any John Muir Students.

Its that time of year again.  This year's banquet  aims to be as fun and entertaining as last year's. With special guest host Jamie Jones of All 4 One musical fame, the theme this year is Bridging the Gender gap.  The need to serve the young ladies of John Muir Middle School has always been a pressing one and even as the Boys to Men after school program served hundreds of young at risk boys over the years, the young women on campus have struggled to have their own sustainable space.  This year, our program sought to merge those two needs together to provide a successful program to ALL the kids who enrolled... Come join us and celebrate the year's achievements and help our fund-raising efforts. You can buy you tickets online here:
http://thetymefoundation.givezooks.com/events/6th-annual-end-of-the-year-banquet

It has been a very eventful Spring! So much so that we haven't had a chance to update you on all the things our Boys to Men After School program participants have been up to.  So let's catch you up...

The New Year began with some spice as our students got the opportunity to learn more about an exciting  form of artistic expression, one that blends elements of both Black and Brown culture! In learning how to dance "Salsa", our boys and girls understood more deeply the "movement" behind certain movements! You can see photos in our gallery... The kids continue to take Salsa lessons after school every Tuesday in the program thanks to Ms. Adunni our dance instructor.

The students have also been hard at work studying the history of one of our country's most unfortunate episodes of injustice.  In studying the tragic events surrounding Emmit Till's death and the trial of his murderer's, the kids understand the systems of oppression that still plague our nation.  Yet through dramatic role play and recreation of the courtroom, our boys and girls are able to see the possibilities our justice system can offer in transformational social change.  More about the Emmit Till story can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/  and http://www.emmetttillmurder.com/

Other topics the after school program has been able to delve into include financial literacy lectures with our good friends from US Bank and Hygiene and the history of the Barbering Arts with our friend "Q" the Barber. 

The kids have also been able to venture out to see some exhibits both at the Museum of Natural History, "Gershwin Alone" at the Pasadena Playhouse and the IMAX theatre.

In the coming weeks we will be learning about film and book publishing with a series of lectures from our friends at Cyber Studios in Culver City.  We will also be visiting the Pasadena Playhouse again to see "Twist" in June.

We will also be preparing for our two big end of the year events, our 4th Annual Rites of Passage Camping trip and our End of the Year Fundraiser Banquet.  Stay tuned for more updates!

The year has gotten off to a good start. Despite severe budget cutbacks at every level, the after school program continues to exist in much the same formation as it did last year at John Muir Middle School.  The beginning of this year saw the opportunity for students to participate in an important study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The study looked at the issues facing young men of color in three major U.S. cities including N.Y.C, Chicago, and Los Angeles.  The Boys to Men program was chosen to be part of this study, providing the researchers with a much needed to hear perspective.  This year has also seen collaboration with U.S. bank as students had the opportunity to become more literate in personal finances...

This week the boys and girls will get a chance to see the L.A. Clippers and FDR at the Pasadena Playhouse... Check out our calendar on the upcoming events page!!!

Hopefully it was a restful summer for the boys and girls who participated in last year's program.  With the school year starting back up, the Boys to Men after school program looks to continue to develop innovative and effective ways to reach out to our young boys of color with an exciting curriculum teaching everything from financial literacy and athletic health to hip hop and environmental awareness! The program kicks off today at John Muir Middle School, our long time home with the possibilities of expanding to other campuses as well.  Look for more information our contact us with any questions you may have... Here's to a great year!!!

Last night more than hundred parents, volunteers, teachers, friends, and family came together to show their support for the T.Y.M.E. Foundation's Boys to Men after school enrichment program and the young men and women who are the reason for its existence today.  The night was filed with music, student performances, and recognition for the young boys and girls.  Despite unexpected cancellations of guest speakers, the true stars of the evening shone through the night with a light and brilliance symbolized at then end of the evening with a candle light vigil.  Our alumni were even part of the evening, testament to the lasting impact of the program's four tenants; faith, commitment, integrity, and culture.  Thanks to all who have supported us int he past and continue to do so.  Young people's lives are better for it.

Today we found out that some very special guests will be at our 5th annual banquet. Actors Louis Gosset Jr. and James Avery will both be guest speakers in a night of festivities celebrating the many accomplishments the boys and our organization have accomplished this year. Please join us if you can for what will be a wonderful evening.

The kids were given their eggs today and now it is up to them to take care of them for the next 2 weeks... good luck gentlemen.  They are all competing for the father of the year award at our banquet coming up!

Today Outward Bound Adventures, the National Park Service, and Boys to Men along with some other Muir students began work on their mural inspired by nature.  You can view pics on our facebook page!

John Muir's 1st annual Health and Wellness Resource fair was a success.  The Boys to Men program participants shared their knowledge of certain environmental issues facing our local and global community as well as tips on how to address through a change in small daily practices.  You can through some resources here:

http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green

http://www.squidoo.com/agreenlife

http://www.thegreenguide.com/

http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/03/10_ways_to_go_g.html

This Thursday (5/20) at John Muir Middle School from 1 - 3pm there will be a Health & Wellness fair.  It will feature different resources and organizations available to community members that will assist in leading healthy lives.  Boys to Men will have a booth set up during the event highlighting ways to "go green" and live more eco-friendly.  Stop by and check out the many different community resources in South LA.