Group of boys and young men at a conference
Group of boys at table with fruit

Boys and Young Men of Color Strategy

Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC) strategy builds on, and invests in, pathways to success to help boys and young men of color reach their full potential.

Why We Focus on Boys and Young Men of Color

  • They are twice as likely to grow up in poverty
  • They are more likely to live in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty
  • They are more likely to fall into poverty as adults, regardless of background

Ensuring Equitable Outcomes

The BYMOC Strategy ensures equitable outcomes for boys and young men of color ages 11-17 by removing systemic barriers, providing relevant services and support systems, and creating nurturing environments that promote confidence and growth. 

  • Group of boys at table with engineering blocks
  • Group of boys at a table doing a podcast
  • Children at a table with Legos
  • Group of teens listening to an adult talking

Implementation

The BYMOC Strategy is designed for flexible implementation through policies, practices, and programs that can be defined by the needs of each community and Y, including the following areas. 

Child reading book at YMCA programs for black youth

Education

  • Impact their attitudes toward education
  • Empower them to believe in their capabilities
  • Prepare them with the skills to achieve academic success
Two men sitting at a table talking to a group of boys

College & Career Readiness

  • Create pipelines to connect them with post-secondary education and meaningful jobs
  • Provide work-based learning experiences, financial education, skills development, career and college planning, and resource navigation opportunities
Group of people at Downtown Family YMCA

Character Development

  • Create experiences and environments that strengthen social-emotional competencies
  • Support character development across the Y's core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility
Group of kids standing for photo

Belonging & Community Building

  • Help them build healthy relationships with peers and adults
  • Foster their positive cultural- and self-identity
  • Support opportunities for community connections and civic engagement
Group of boys at table with fruit

Health & Well-Being

  • Help them develop healthy physical and eating habits
  • Teach them about lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic conditions in adulthood such as diabetes and heart disease
  • Combat their experiences with food insecurity

Boys and Young Men of Color Strategy Goals

By 2025, the BYMOC Strategy seeks to achieve the following outcomes for 10,000 boys and young men of color across 100 cities across the U.S.:

  • 70% of participants will access high-quality, nurturing, and more culturally responsive neighborhood environments
  • 75% of participants will have stabilized and improved grades by reducing suspensions and improving school attendance
  • 100% of participants will have completed pre- and post-assessment for social-emotional learning
  • 75% of participants will access high quality post-secondary and career-ready pathways