Eight Steps for Getting Started

Below are some suggestions about approaching work with young men in schools. There are many dedicated teachers, administrators, and youth workers already working in schools in creative and caring ways. Finding them, building relationships with them, and supporting their work will enable you to be more effective in reaching young men through schools.

1. Consider mapping. Learning the lay of the land will help you target young men more strategically. Where are all the junior highs, the high schools, private schools, community colleges, and universities? Which are magnet schools? What are the schools' reputations? Who makes up the student body? What are school policies? Are there student groups and after-school programs?
2. Seek partner organizations. It's likely that other community organizations are already working with the schools. Find out who they are and consult with them about how they have found allies, where they've been most successful, and whether there are ways you might partner with them.
3. Seek internal allies. Having allies inside schools and the school system is essential. Try to recruit allies with access, power, and influence. Think about what strengths they need to promote work with young men on violence prevention. Sometimes those with power and influence aren't immediately accessible. For instance, it can be difficult to gain access to principals, so it's likely that allies will occupy other positions. Often school nurses, school counselors, or health teachers are interested in workshops on men's role in preventing dating violence and violence against women.
4. Take the first step. Send an introductory letter, along with supporting materials (brochure, statistics, and so on), to key faculty and staff, and follow up with a phone call.
5. Let your allies help you. Once you have some school allies, they can help you gain access to principals or others with influence in the district. For instance, in Washington, D.C., a public high school teacher helped Men Can Stop Rape get an invitation to present at the monthly meeting of district principals. In Washington, school nurses have monthly meetings as well. A school nurse or counselor also is likely to have a list of all the school nurses and counselors in a school district.
6. Get support in writing. Solicit letters of support from key school district administrators that you can share with principals, faculty, and school staff.
7. Create a citywide advisory committee. A group of faculty, staff, and administrators from schools can provide input to your work and help you gain access to schools. Each committee member can serve as a liaison to his or her school. If you can't form a citywide committee, form a school committee consisting of two to four teachers, staff, and/or administrators. They can help you plan programs and events as well as advise you about what will work best.
8. Remember institutional change. Single workshops will help you build relationships with school faculty, staff, and administrators so that you can do more sustained work. Always keep in mind the goal of changing the school environment as well as the young men you're working with.