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The Boys Speak Out^® Forum

The original Boys Speak Out Forum was created by three Dartmouth College 2003 alumni: Claribel Vargas, Lola Adedokun and Anthony Webb. The goal of the Boys Speak Out^® Forum is to facilitate middle school boys’ transition into adolescence by addressing pivotal issues they will face such as drugs, relationships, peer pressure, and family problems.

The Boys Speak Out^® Forum is a day-long (approximately 6-8 hours) event where the boys hear speakers, take part in different activities such as icebreakers, "trust games", and arts and crafts, and have small discussion sessions with student leaders from the college. Participants walk away from the Boys Speak Out^® Forum with two important tools: (1) more insight into the problems that trouble boys in adolescence, and (2) an understanding of how important it is for boys to be able to express themselves with respect to these issues. Adolescent boys are constantly taught that they should be strong and stoic; however, they are not taught that part of being a strong individual stems from the ability to recognize when life’s challenges arise, and embracing the ability to constructively express how these challenges affect one’s psyche.

The 5th Annual Boys Speak Out^® Forum took place at Dartmouth on January 31, 2007.

Who Is Eligible?

Through the Boys Speak Out^® Forum, we will target middle school boys in rural, urban, and suburban communities. Each year hundreds of boys in these communities will be brought together at local college campuses, where they will meet their peers and talk with college male advocates about the challenges that they face.

Participants will be paired with college-aged mentors who will maintain an ongoing relationship with these boys and provide a support system as they transition through their middle and high school years.

Program Locations

Drawing on the success of the Dartmouth hosted Boys Speak Out^® Forum, BSO, Inc. is planning to launch the Boys Speak Out^® Forum in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, careful thought will go into choosing additional communities that have a pressing need for young male advocacy and an engaged college male population.

Contact:

              info@boysspeakout.org
              Boys Speak Out, Inc.
              PO Box 44285
              Atlanta, GA 30336
              404-343-1615