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BAM — Becoming A Man

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A place to be yourself. A brotherhood that helps you grow.

Bring BAM to Your School

Step Inside the Circle

Hear directly from BAM participants and counselors about the relationships and conversations that make the circle a place for connection and growth.

What Is BAM?

Growing stronger, together.

Being a young man comes with expectations about who you should be, how you should act and what you should keep to yourself. BAM creates a different kind of space—one where young men can show up as themselves.

In weekly small-group circles led by a BAM counselor, participants talk honestly, learn from one another and practice skills that help them understand their emotions, make thoughtful decisions, build healthy relationships and pursue the futures they envision.

Designed for young men in grades 7–12, BAM combines clinical practice, youth engagement and experiential learning through conversation, stories, role-playing and group activities.

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Six values. Lessons for life.

BAM Circles give young men space to explore six core values and what those values mean in their own lives.

Integrity

Know what you stand for and let your actions reflect it.

Accountability

Take responsibility for your decisions, emotions and actions.

Self-Determination

Stay focused, persevere and recognize your ability to shape what comes next.

Respect for Womanhood

Practice respect, communication and healthy relationships with women and girls.

Visionary Goal-Setting

See a future for yourself and make choices that move you toward it.

Positive Anger Expression

Understand anger and develop healthy ways to express and respond to it.

Beyond the Circle

Growth happens everywhere.

BAM doesn’t end when circle does. Young men put what they’re learning into practice through new experiences, friendships, leadership opportunities, sports, college and career exploration, community activities and everyday decisions.

Proven Impact

Students enrolled in BAM are:

50%

less likely to be arrested for violent crime

25%

more engaged in school

19%

more likely to graduate high school on time

*UChicago Crime Lab research on Becoming A Man.

In Their Words

BAM gave us permission to pour our hearts out and hold each other up. I started showing empathy toward others, and toward myself. That was new.
BAM Alum & Counselor Daniel Methene

BAM Across the Country

National reach. Local relationships.

BAM brings relationship-centered counseling and mentoring to young men in schools and communities across the country.

Interested in bringing BAM to your school or district?

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Find BAM Near You

BAM is offered in 8 cities across the country.