Founder's Message
Rafiah Hickson and Yaniece Spencer became friends in middle school and their parents worked together for the State of NJ, Juvenile Justice Commission. They both went on to receive Social Work degree and continue onto Master Degrees. In early 2017, Rafiah and Yaniece heard the calling on their lives to start a program giving back to the youth. Although, they pondered on serving females vs. males, they knew that wanted to work with the youth.They finally settled on working with the young men, calling them "Bosses" which is how they came up with the name Boys of Sustainable Strength (B.O.S.S.) Mentoring.
Gratefully,
Yaniece S. Spencer , BSW, MS
Rafiah C. Hickson , LCSW
Co-Founders of B.O.S.S. Mentoring, Inc.
About B.O.S.S. Mentoring
Our Mission
To educate and support young men by providing workshops, life skills, and career development through individual and group mentoring.
Our Vision
B.O.S.S. Mentoring will continually provide adequate resources to equip our young men with the skills needed to matriculate into positive role models for generations to come.
Who We Serve
B.O.S.S. Mentoring serves young men ages 8-18 and their families.
Our 5 Focus Areas
At B.O.S.S. Mentoring, Inc., we believe that our program is unique because of the 5 fundamental pillars that our program is based on. We strive to ensure that each mentee who joins our program has the opportunity to develop themselves fully. These five pillars are the foundation of our program and represent our core values and are are the foundation of success. We work hard to ensure that each mentee who joins our program is given the opportunity to cultivate these values. We believe that by doing so, we are building stronger individuals who will become leaders in their communities and beyond.
Academic Success
We strive to foster academic success among our mentees. This extends beyond simply achieving good grades on report cards. Our approach focuses on developing critical thinking skills, asking vital questions, diligent studying, and effectively communicating knowledge.
Cultural
Competency
Our Commitment to Providing Mentees with Dynamic and Inclusive Opportunities. At our core, we are committed to imparting cultural competency to our mentees. Our goal is to expose them to a diverse range of experiences, from traveling abroad to hiking in the wilderness. We believe that these experiences expand their outlooks on what's achievable, fostering adaptability and resilience when navigating new environments.
Learn More about our Cultural Exploration Travel Program
Financial
Literacy
Financial Literacy goes beyond just earning money. It involves making informed decisions about how to allocate and invest your finances.
We offer a range of classes and activities aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship, creating a budget, valuing your time and energy, and making purchases that align with your values and goals. Our goal is to empower individuals to make intelligent financial decisions.
Life Skills
Our goal is to equip Mentees with Life Skills for a Fulfilling Life.
Life skills are essential to living a fulfilling and gratifying life. They encompass everything from communication and relationships to domestic responsibilities, civic engagement, and creative self-expression. Our goal is to instill in our mentees the skills necessary to cultivate strong and loving relationships with friends and family, work effectively with other team members, maintain a comfortable home, participate in and contribute to their community, and maintain a playful and curious mindset throughout their lives.
Physical &
Mental Health
Awareness
Prioritizing Physical and Mental Health Awareness for Improved Well-being. At our organization, we believe that physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Our goal is to assist our mentees in developing healthy habits that benefit both their bodies and minds. We offer a wide range of classes that focus on fitness and exercise, nutritious cooking and eating, as well as personal hygiene and cleanliness. Additionally, we hold small group mentoring sessions, which provide opportunities for mentees to gain insights into emotional regulation and understanding.
Our Program Goals:
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Build self esteem.
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Provide an environment where our boys can be safe and interact with other boys their ages.
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Challenge our boys to be responsible for their actions and engage in conflict resolution.
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Help our boys to discover and develop their own individuality including strengths, talents, and gifts.
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Give our boys hope, confidence, and the courage to be sustainable.
"A good boss realizes that they can also learn from those they work with no matter the level, title or position. Learning is a continuous habit and is one of the best lessons demonstrated by a good boss."
~Byron Pulsifer