Young Man with a Plan
Young Man with a Plan (YMWAP) creates a culture of brotherhood, respect and achievement among young men of color in Boston in order to improve their post-secondary (college, career and life) outcomes. In YMWAP, 85 young men “in the middle” from 8 Boston’s BPS and charter schools build brotherhood, commit to improving their academic performance and social emotional skills, and support each other as they navigate the challenges of high school through 12th grade. Directors Jaykyri Simpson and Des Kennard and 8 school-based mentors, all men of color, provide support, lead weekly group meetings, and engage in professional development.
Young men are recruited as 9th graders through school leaders, counselors, mentors, and students in the program. They meet weekly from 5:00 – 7:00pm in either Hyde Park or Dorchester. In the safe haven of their weekly meeting, young men check in with Jaykyri, Des and mentors about school and home. They share dinner, and discuss topics like current events, healthy relationships, academic challenges, mental health, growth mindset, credit scores, college & career options, AP courses, and stress.
Over four years, through our consistent words and actions, young men in the program learn: “You matter.” “Your dreams matter.” “You can aim higher and work harder.” “You can be yourself.”
YMWAP helps students develop an individualized Success Plan, and offers young men opportunities to learn from successful men through Men of Color Career Night, guest educators, alumni panels, and enrichment like Excel Training and SAT Writing. They participate in community service, learn about college options and career paths, work out, get assistance in securing summer jobs, and attend a N.H. wilderness weekend.
“Jaykyri and Des and the mentors always challenge us to be better and give us the tools to do exactly that.
We invite you to review our 2019 YMWAP Report and our 2020 YMWAP Logic Model.
