Program Description:

The Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund grant supported Boys to Men’s North County Mentoring Program, which provides weekly group mentoring designed to help boys develop healthy decision-making, social-emotional skills, resilience, empathy, and self-confidence. Led by trained facilitators, mentoring circles give youth positive role models and the skills to succeed in school and life.

During the grant period, the program served 230 North County youth, including 180 students at 12 middle and high schools, and more than 50 additional youth through a community mentoring group in Encinitas and a partnership with the National Conflict Resolution Center in San Marcos.

Results:

The program met and exceeded its goals, providing consistent mentoring services while demonstrating measurable improvements in attendance, academics, behavior, and emotional well-being.

Key outcomes included:

• 230 youth served across North County.
• 80% had fewer than 10 unexcused absences.
• 53% passed all classes without receiving an F.
• 89% had no in-school or out-of-school suspensions, contributing to a 97% reduction in disciplinary incidents.
• Participants also reported improvements in emotional regulation, including fewer outbursts, less anger, and greater emotional control.

Despite funding shortages that prevented four schools from continuing the program, Boys to Men redirected resources by expanding services at existing schools and added new mentoring circles, ensuring youth continued to receive support where it was most needed. 

Future Plans:

Boys to Men plans to continue expanding its mentoring program by strengthening partnerships with existing schools, adding new school sites, and increasing the number of mentoring circles throughout North County. Sustainability is supported through a diversified fundraising strategy that includes grants, corporate and individual giving, events, planned gifts, and annual campaigns.