The Council
Program Description
The Council targets youth of all races and ethnicities displaying aggressive/violent behavior, marginalized youth having negative contact with the system, and those with negative peer relationships. This program targets pre-teens and adolescent boys and young men and LGBTQ youth who identify with male adolescent development 9 to 18 years, regardless of risk level.
2Men of Honor Sets 1 & 2
Ages: 13+
Number of Sessions: 10
Description:
In this groundbreaking, trauma responsive and timely Two Set curriculum, young men ages 13 years
and older examine rigid and harmful gender norms and develop definitions of manhood guided by
respect and non-violent behaviors. Fun, thought-provoking and uniquely designed activities and
conversations engage participants to examine these harmful beliefs that impose limits on them and
work together towards becoming respected leaders and connected allies in their communities.
Living A Legacy- A Rite of Passage
Ages: 14-18
Number of Sessions: 10
Description:
Young men gain skills and knowledge to navigate growing up male in today’s society through the
introduction of topics and experiential activities that address a myriad of relevant challenges – safely,
powerfully, and within a spirit of “council” connection. Boys will explore: relationships, conflict
resolution, education, leadership, community service, diversity, mass media messages, personal
values, integrity, and future goals.
Journey of the Great Warrior
Ages: 13-18
Number of Sessions: 18
Description:
Using the symbol of the Medicine Wheel of the indigenous people of the Americas and the metaphor
of the journey of a great warrior, this guide takes young men further into a holistic process of growth
and transformation that includes four areas of human development: emotional/spiritual,
psychological, social, and intellectual. The journey begins by exploring marginalized young men’s
challenges, strengths, and coping strategies formed after a premature loss of love and protection in
the family and the natural world. A “journey of return” invites council members to rediscover a
sustaining internal resource of protection, security and belonging, or “Home Base.” The journey
continues to build upon individual and collective resources to reclaim or create dreams, develop
goals, increase social and cooperative skills, and choose and apply transformative behaviors in their
relationships and activities in order to overcome barriers and create lives of contribution, meaning,
and connection. Group challenges include: the Great Warrior’s personal narrative, Trapped Inside
the Dungeon – a cycle of addiction and exit strategies, Crossing the Bridge in nature, Vision
Charting, The Voice of Nature, “Hardware-Software” and Personal Traits, Planning and Executing an
Ecological Project, Role Play with a Leadership Style, and many more activities both indoors and in
the outdoors to empower participants to recognize their interdependency and value within all of life’s
systems- social, personal, and in the natural world.
Brother as Allies
Ages: 11-14
Number of Sessions: 10
Description:
This guide has been developed to provide social support for boys and youth who identify as male,
promote pro-social behaviors, build empathy, encourage resistance against bullying, and interrupt
violence. It also addresses gender roles and expectations, self-expression, healthy masculinity,
respect for differences, positive ethnic identity, communication, empathy, and becoming allies.
Originally created as part of a 4-year study funded by the CDC in New York State, Brothers as Allies
is a compilation of sessions from other Council activity guides aimed at preventing violence.