Youth Initiatives
About Youth Initiatives
A Call to Men’s Youth Initiatives team provides training, resources, and learning & connection opportunities for youth ages 21 and under, and to adults to support youth. These resources and opportunities give young people the tools they need to help create a world where boys and men are loving and respectful, and where women and girls and those in the margins of the margins are valued and safe. Three core elements of our youth-facing work include:
Allowing Youth to Lead
Providing a Platform
Create Opportunities for Growth and Development
I would 100% recommend
this internship because of everything I learned, including leadership, advocacy, content creation, content management, and public speaking. It also helped me build confidence, improve my teamwork skills, and gain valuable real-world experience that will benefit me in the future.
Marwa Tawakalyar
Youth ACT! 2025 Cohort
I was honored to be asked to be a part of the 2025 A Call to Men Youth Summit,
and so glad that I was able to participate. Just getting to know the devoted changemakers at ACTM, as well as the talented students, was a rewarding experience even before all of the great programming. The day was full of wise words and encouragement from active leaders in our community, committed to cultivating a young generation that is equipped to tackle the challenges of the world and create positive change.
One of the most special moments of the day was being able to help celebrate the 2025 dismantle. Art Contest winners at the award ceremony. I had the privilege of sharing some words on my experience as a former winner and hearing how this year's winners were aiming to dismantle the -isms in our world with their pieces of art. I hope to continue to be involved with the good work that ACTM is doing and am excited to see what the organization has planned for the future.
Jacques Pierre
2024 dismantle Winner & 2025 dismantle. Judge, Workshop Facilitator
It is a big and weighty work that ACTM is engaged in.
and on behalf of a generation that feels - in some ways - like a last line of defense against us becoming a society that is incapable of respecting, valuing, serving and loving others as ourselves. Helping to shoulder that burden, even for a few hours on that Friday, has not left my mind nor spirit since.
Din Tolbert
Youth Summit Host
Our Youth Initiatives Successes
The 2025 Youth Summit welcomed over 100 New York City high school students for a lively day of panels, workshops, and performances centered on civic engagement. Our youth were joined by community leaders who shared practical insights and words of inspiration. Council Member, Dr. Yusef Salaam, opened the day with an inspiring message, encouraging our youth to continue dreaming of a better tomorrow.
We are proud to have completed our 4th annual dismantle. Art Contest, awarding a $2,000 cash prize to six youth artists from across the country. We were honored to host four of the dismantle. winners at our annual Youth Summit in the heart of New York City, where they were able to speak more about their work and let us in on their creative process.
“After Sunday Service”
Clare Hassell, Columbia, SC
“Allergies”
Chloe Ha, Basking Ridge, NJ
Young Leaders Circle Program
In a new partnership with the Maure Magnet School of Communication Arts, Technology and Multimedia (P.S. 55) in South Richmond Hill, NY, A Call to Men piloted our Young Leaders Circle program, supporting 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students with healthy socioemotional learning skills, including healthy decision-making, expressing emotions, and being a great friend. We are grateful to Principal Honore and the entire P.S. 55 community for their meaningful partnership.
In April of 2025, the Youth Initiatives team championed our efforts to highlight Sexual Assault Awareness Month. We partnered with organizations that include the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and the World Without Exploitation Youth (WorldWe Youth) to host a series of in-person and virtual conversations that uplift the voices of young people in an effort to end gender based violence.
Trainings and Engagements
92
Folks Reached
1325
Boys and Men Reached
650
OUR YI CULTIVATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
This year, the Youth Initiatives team deepened our roots in partnering with schools and community-based organizations dedicated to serving youth and the adults who support them. We are proud of our continued relationship with the New York City Department of Education and the Mayor's Office for Ending Domestic and Gender Based Violence.
Additionally, we are excited to further our partnerships with new friends as we enter 2026, including:
New York City Department of Youth and Community Development
The Community Initiatives of New York
Guam Department of Youth Affairs
Men of Honour, Zambia
The Sunflower Project
Achievement First Network
Englewood Public School District
LIVE RESPECT
Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence (DAASV) Train the Trainer (June and September)
The mission of the Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence is to address Sexual Violence in Delaware by creating an inclusive community that supports survivors through advocacy, intervention, and awareness. They identified key community members and invited them to be part of their efforts to engage boys and men to prevent violence. A Call to Men's Live Respect Curriculum is the tool they decided to use to guide their time together.
Live Respect: Young Leaders Circle at P.S. 55 (NYC)
Throughout the months of May and June, A Call to Men had the pleasure of working with a group of young boys at Maure Magnet P.S. 55 Q. This engaging and supportive mentorship group for elementary school boys helped students build confidence, empathy, and healthy relationships while learning the foundations of respect and kindness. Based on A Call to Men’s Curriculum—Live Respect: Life Skills and Well-Being for Boys and Young Men, this program introduced young boys to the values of teamwork, emotional awareness, and positive decision-making through fun activities, group discussions, and guided mentorship. Participants explored what it means to be a good friend, how to express their feelings in healthy ways, and the importance of respect. This safe and welcoming space empowered the young boys to develop strong character, kindness, and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Men of Honour (Zambia)—Live Respect: Training the Trainer
On July 9, our Youth Initiatives department had the privilege of partnering with the Men of Honour organization of Zambia, Africa, to bring the Live Respect Curriculum to their community. With their mission to foster community development through the promotion of male involvement and engagement, we facilitated a virtual training for their male-identified staff and community members to familiarize them with the A Call to Men framework and Live Respect materials before implementing the curriculum with their youth. Live Respect will be another tool for the Men of Honour to engage and encourage boys and young men to become positive change agents to challenge harmful gender norms that continue to perpetuate violence against the vulnerable members of their communities. We are humbled to be in this work that has a national impact and international reach.
P.S. 014 Fairview, NYC—Live Respect: Training the Trainer
After a successful Community Conversation with students, families, and community partners at P.S. 014 Fairview Middle School in Queens, our team returned to the school to spread the powerful principles of the Live Respect Curriculum. We hosted a Train-the-Trainer session, bringing together not only the dedicated staff at P.S. 014 but also educators and mental health professionals from surrounding schools and organizations. Together, we explored how to weave the values of Live Respect into their classrooms, programs, and daily interactions with youth to foster a culture of healthy masculinity across the borough.
Live Respect Downloads
3,225
dismantle. Art Contest
This year, the Youth Initiatives department engaged with schools and community-based organizations as Community Partners for the dismantle. Art Contest. In a budding partnership with the Cristo Rey network of schools, the Youth Initiatives team spent the day with five classes of juniors and seniors at Cristo Rey Brooklyn. Romina Fernandez, the art teacher, infused the dismantle. art contest into the curriculum for the school year. Nicole Dillon, Vice President of Youth Initiatives, led a workshop with each class, introducing them to the work of A Call to Men, and sharing on the 2025 dismantle. Art Contest. Students spent time researching for their contest submissions. Our partnership with the Cristo Rey network resulted in 70% of 2025 dismantle. submissions coming from students at Cristo Rey Brooklyn and Cristo Rey Houston!
In addition to in-person engagements, Youth Initiatives expanded its reach through virtual programming. A remote workshop was presented to students at Corning Painted Post High School, where their art teacher also integrated the dismantle. Art Contest into her curriculum. This virtual session introduced students to OUR ORG and encouraged them to reflect on the contest theme in their creative process, further reinforcing the contest’s role as both an educational and artistic opportunity.
Submissions
73
Youth Summit
In May, A Call to Men hosted its 4th annual Youth Summit, titled “Youth Rising to dismantle.,” welcoming more than 100 New York City high school students. With attendees from all five boroughs, the summit centered on the lived experiences and perspectives of NYC high school students. Designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to effect real change in their communities, the event featured collaborative problem-solving activities and inspiring workshops led by local organizations. Students explored ways to use their platforms and voices to create a safer and more just future for all.
Attendees
156
Male-Identified Attendees
87
Youth ACT!
A Call to Men’s Youth ACT! continues to center the voices of young people to promote healthy masculinity, build healthy relationships, and prevent gender-based violence. Through virtual programming, outreach, and leadership development, Youth ACT! empowers young people to become change makers in their communities and beyond for all women, girls, men, boys, LGBQIA+, trans, and non-binary folx. This year, Youth ACT! relaunched with a new dynamic cohort of four young leaders from New York, Virginia, and North Carolina, unified with their passion for equity, justice, and social change.
ACTion Plan: Virtual Workshop Series
A major highlight of the year was the launch of the ACTion Plan, a four-week virtual workshop series created to equip their peers from California to China with the knowledge and tools to understand and dismantle systems of oppression. Through peer-to-peer conversations and sessions with A Call to Men leaders, participants explored topics such as systems of oppression, youth leadership, the forms of activism, and becoming a community organizer. The series created a safe and inclusive space for learning, self-expression, and growth.
Participants reported increased confidence in identifying social injustice, a deeper understanding of activism beyond protest, and a strengthened sense of their ability to lead and create community-driven change. Their commitment to organizing and advocacy remained strong, reflecting the long-term impact of the series.
It’s Time to Talk: Social Media Campaign
Youth ACT! leveraged the power of social media to shed light on key issues, including gender equality, climate change, disability awareness, youth leadership, and the importance of empathy. Their “It’s Time to Talk” social media campaign encouraged action by providing local and national organizations for their peers to connect with, fostering deeper involvement.
A Call to Men Football Camp
Kristin's Fund, A Call to Men, and Utica University Football have partnered since 2018 to host a free, two-day football camp for area athletes in Utica, NY. The A Call to Men Football Camp experience includes football skills training, character development, healthy, respectful manhood education, and prevention strategies for dating violence and sexual assault. The camp welcomes approximately 100-200 central New York athletes in 4th grade through 12th grade.
Kristin's Fund was formed by the family of Kristin Palumbo-Longo, who was fatally harmed by her husband on September 28, 2009, in Utica, NY. Kristin's Fund aims to eliminate domestic violence by funding prevention education initiatives. A Call to Men emphasizes the importance of the “Next Generation of Manhood” and values the role of sports and coaches in the lives of boys and young men. In this jam-packed hour, athletes perform technique and form drills for 40 minutes led by Utica University Head Coach Blaise Faggiano and the Pioneer staff. They then spend 15-20 minutes hydrating and engaging with the staff of A Call to Men for life skills off the field, leaving this hour with lifelong skills that equip them to create and sustain healthy relationships.
Attendees
74
Male-Identified Attendees
20
Our Additional Highlights
Gotham Professional Arts Academy - Love Yourself Day
As part of Gotham Professional Arts Academy's annual “Love Yourself Day,” our Youth Initiatives team facilitated a workshop that empowered students to reconnect with their authentic selves despite the biases, stereotypes, and societal barriers we face daily. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about how the outside world shapes our personal and collective identities and practiced self-love through a medium of creative expression that resonates with them—allowing us to connect with, learn from, and let them lead.
The Man Box Workshops at M.S. 217
Continuing our long-term relationship with M.S. 217 in Queens, NYC, our Youth Initiatives and Healthy Manhood Initiatives teams joined together for two days of workshops with eight middle school classes. Leading engaging discussions in English and Spanish, our committed staff—Nicole, Chucho, and DeManuel—used real-life scenarios to explore how the Man Box influences their everyday interactions and respect for others. The team later returned to continue the conversation with families and a few new student groups.
Community Conversation at PS 14
On May 27th, A Call to Men partnered with Allison Brown, Community School Director at P.S. 14, to host a Community Conversation centered on the Manbox. We invited students, families, and school leaders to participate in a 90-minute interactive conversation on our collective socialization. This engagement served as an introduction to our work within the school community, with the intention of hosting a deeper engagement in the Fall 2025 school year.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Panel with DYCD
On April 16th, A Call to Men partnered with the Department of Youth and Community Development to host an event for NYC youth during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This talk-show-style panel served as a gateway to a conversation that educated youth about the complexities of sexual violence in the context of social media. Participants learned to identify inappropriate online behaviors, understand the legal implications of such actions, and develop skills to protect themselves and others in digital environments. Our panel consisted of youth advocates, lawyers, and youth leaders.
Sexual Assault from Cradle to Grave
On April 24, A Call to Men joined a virtual panel hosted by The Episcopal Diocese of New York Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault in the U.S.. Understanding that these violations occur across the entire lifespan—from infancy and childhood to adolescence, adulthood, and even advanced age—each panelist spoke on the different life stages, allowing DeManuel the opportunity to share how A Call to Men approaches this crucial topic when engaging boys and young men. Attendees were encouraged to commit to creating safe spaces for healing across all identities and backgrounds while emphasizing the collective responsibility for healing, justice, and breaking the silence surrounding sexual assault.
Addressing the Normalization of Sexual Violence and Exploitation in our Culture
On April 29, A Call to Men had the honor of joining a panel discussion on the normalization of exploitation and sexual violence in our culture alongside Coalition against Women in Trafficking (CATW), The World Without Exploitation Youth (WorldWe Youth), and Culture Reframed. Hosted by Ashley Stagger, Miss City of New York and survivor of Child Sexual Abuse, the event engaged The City University of New York students and activists by providing the knowledge and tools needed to challenge harmful cultural narratives, support survivors, and spark real change.
Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
Nicole Dillon and Chucho Ruiz led the plenary session at the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This session engaged educators, law enforcement officers, elected officials, advocates, and all participants virtually and in-person to explore strategies to engage men and boys in ending gender-based violence. Through activities such as one-on-one discussions and community exercises, attendees explored the concept of the "Man Box" and its role in fostering healthier relationships. Participants gained skills to facilitate dialogue, address harm, and inspire communities to challenge harmful norms, ultimately empowering them to create safer and more inclusive environments.
Love is Respect Convening
In September, the A Call to Men Youth Initiatives team joined teams from Esperanza United and Future Without Violence in Austin, Texas, for a convening hosted by the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s Love Is Respect initiative, marking a 1-day gathering on youth leadership. Together, we explored opportunities to center the voices, experiences, and needs of young people.
