Men and Boys Initiative

MGB INC. (Men Giving Back)

Our Mission:  Fostering relationships between Fathers, their Children, their Families, their Communities

For the first time in the nation’s history, more than one in 100 American adults are behind bars.  Georgia ranks second in the percentage of its residents confined to state prisons with an incarceration rate of 0.58 per 1,000 residents, only second to Texas’ rate of 0.71 percent.  In January 2007, Georgia had 55,205 prison inmates waiting in local jails for transfer to state prisons. Georgia’s prison population currently stands at about 60,000 inmates, 135,000 probationers and 23,000 parolees–over 218,000 who are partially supervised by the Department of Corrections, at an estimated cost of $23,876 per prisoner.  Research supports the theory that mentoring programs provide a cost-effective detention alternative.  Conversely, the average cost per child per year for a well-run mentoring program is approximately $1,000 (Grossman and Garry, 1997).

Our Programs are:

Rites of Passage Into Manhood: From Boys to Men.  The curriculum for this program is an evidenced-based, culturally sensitive, age appropriate learning experience for adolescent males, for many of whom, a positive, male role is absent from their homes and their daily lives.   Males ages 10-21 define themselves and evolve into manhood.  The curriculum includes a component that addresses domestic violence and its impact on children who are exposed to DV; and, deterring violence in teen dating.  This is a 13 step program dedicated to motivating males to enhance their leadership, decision-making, critical thinking skills, multi-cultural diversity and empower them individually and collectively. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in sessions.

 Abstinence ‘Til Marriage (ATM) Program.  This motivational program delivers the message that abstinence is the best way to avoid teen pregnancy, sexually-transmitted diseases and the altering of your life options.  The program utilizes the age appropriate, culturally sensitive curriculum, Why Am I Tempted (W.A.I.T.).

Seven Steps for Ending Violence Against Women & Girls.  Violence against women and girls knows no race, color, class or religion.  Many women from pre-teens to senior citizens have been battered, murdered or stalked by usually someone they knew very well, commonly referred as an ‘intimate partner’.  MGB recognizes the cylical effects of domestic violence and works to break the cycles associated with domestic violence.  Research shows that 80-90% of children living in homes where domestic violence occurs know what is happening. Statistics indicate that abusive behaviors are likely to pass from one generation to the next (Pagelow, Effects of Domestic Violence on Children, 1990); and boys who exposed to domestic violence as a child are more likely to batter females when they become adults.

 Our training modules, The Seven Steps for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, was developed by prominent author and activist, Kevin Powell.  Supplemental materials include materials from Clayton County Family and Marriage Initiative, author and activist Hill Harper, Georgia Coalition Against Family Violence, and Men Against Domestic Violence.

According to a Snap Shot of Georgia provided by the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in 2010:

• 71,212 crisis line calls were answered from victims of domestic violene
• 42,211 services were provided to victims of rape and sexual assault
• 63,085 non-residential victims were served, up 18% from 2009
• 939,521 services were provided to victims and their children
• Georgia ranks 15th in the nation for single-victim homicides which men kill women
• Georgia ranks 9th in the nation for homicides which the victim was killed by an intimate partner
• 835 Georgians were killed last year as a result of domestic/family violence

Project Top Step:  Gateway to Equal Access to Employment.  Georgia Department of Labor provides resources and support for a campaign to educate and empower males & females with criminal records that impede their ability to acquire rental apartments, employment, etc. with federal bonding to address obstacles that impede their ability to acquire equal access to employment (i.e. criminal records, credit issues, etc.).  MGB connects those in need of these resources to GDOL.