Men's Mentoring Program
Positive male role models showing up, month after month, for the kids in the SMS community.
The SMS Men's Mentoring Program connects school-aged children of single moms with trained, vetted adult male mentors — building real relationships over a full school year.
Mentors and mentees meet monthly in a small group setting at the Empowerment Center in Citrus Heights, with EmpowerME staff onsite. The program runs August through May, kicking off each summer with meet-and-greet activities in June and July.
Mentor Benefits
• Deeper connection to the community
• Growth in empathy and moral reasoning
• Skills in communication and conflict resolution
• The lasting reward of giving back
• Stronger sense of leadership
Mentee Benefits
• Stronger sense of belonging and security
• Improved social skills and behavior
• Greater confidence and self-worth
• Deeper connectedness to family and peers
• Increased resilience
Year at a Glance
June & July
Summer meet-and-greet activities — a relaxed, fun way for mentors and mentees to connect. Attendance at one session is required to join the program.
August - October
Structured icebreaker activities with staff support, completed onsite at the Empowerment Center.
November - May
Mentor teams choose their own monthly activities. Each mentor leads one group session during the year.
