SHARE YOUR STRENGTH
|
Learn how you can become one of our allies-in-strength today.
Take the next step towards becoming a Man of Strength by getting involved in your community. Also, find out what a MyStrength Club is, how you can start a Club of your own, and where there’s one near you.
|
BRING STRENGTH TO YOUR COMMUNITY
How can you and your friends make a difference in your community? Learn here how you can spread the word and create social change. Think up some projects that you and your friends would like to do—but please keep in mind that they should strive to prevent men’s violence and promote a positive use of male strength.
Here are some ideas/activities to get you started:
| Locate a MyStrength Club in your community or start your own MyStrength Club. | ||||||||
| Hold a fundraiser, such as a car wash, and donate the money to a shelter or rape crisis center. | ||||||||
| Pass out the “MyStrength” posters at your school. | ||||||||
| Download a MyStrength screensaver and talk to your teachers about placing MyStrength screensavers on computers at your school. | ||||||||
| Plan an activity to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) every April. | ||||||||
| Wear jeans on “Denim Day” every April. | ||||||||
| Participate in the next “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” march, held every April, in communities throughout the country. This event encourages men to speak out against sexual violence.
| ||||||||
| Work with your school, faith group or community organization to organize a MyStrength rally. | ||||||||
| If you hear someone make a sexist comment, speak out about it. | ||||||||
| Take a pledge not to disrespect women through words or actions. | ||||||||
| Ask a female friend or female family member what it is like being a girl. Does she ever feel scared, and what can you do to help? | ||||||||
| Tell a male friend what you’ve learned about what men can to do stop sexual and dating violence. | ||||||||
| Learn the statistics about rape, and consider how many people it really affects. Click here for more information. | ||||||||
| Reflect on what you’ve learned by writing about it or talking with a friend. | ||||||||
| Go to www.mencanstoprape.org and read one of their resource sheets. |
Past examples of ideas/activities by MyStrength Club members include:
| Creation of a “Strong Words” contest to challenge high school-age boys and girls to write an essay on what the quote “Right is of no sex—truth is of no color” by Frederick Douglass means to them. |
| Creation of a Black History Month presentation on “Rape and Racism.” |
| Creation of a postcard campaign with images from the Strength Campaign sent to peers to raise awareness. |
| Promotion of a “Baby Think It Over” program where teens experienced some of the demands of infant care with a lifelike, life-size baby doll with realistic computerized responses. |
| Creation of a series of video monologues about masculinity and what makes men strong, called “MOST Men in their Schools”—now being edited into a DVD. |
| Creation of a photo gallery with a rap poem or story to go along with each image. |
Thanks for your interest in becoming a Man of Strength!
 |
 |
WHAT IS A MySTRENCH CLUB?
What is a MyStrength Club, you ask? Well, it’s a group of empowered young men like yourself who are committed to the common purpose of taking a leadership role in promoting positive strength and redefining masculinity.
The purpose of a MyStrength Club is to:
| Provide you with a safe, supportive environment so you can connect with your peers and explore positive examples of masculinity and male strength. |
| Help you understand ways of traditional masculinity that contribute to violence, gender inequality and unhealthy relationships so you can be aware of these behaviors and empower yourself and others to rise above them. |
| Inspire you with examples of healthy and strong role models of what it is to be a real man today. |
| Encourage your inner leader by guiding you how to promote gender equality and prevent men's violence among your peers and community. |
MyStrength Clubs have been established in public schools and clubs all over the nation.
See below tolearn how you can start your own MyStrength Club today.
|
|
START YOUR OWN MEN OF STRENGTH (MOST) CLUB
So, you want to start your own Men of Strength Club—that’s great! All you have to do is one of the following:
| Find an adult (teacher, counselor, etc.) from your school or community who is willing to support you. |
OR
| Contact your local Rape Crisis Center (see our Rape Crisis Center locator box on the left side of this page), and they’ll put you in touch with the appropriate person to get your Club going. |
Congratulations on taking that first exciting step!
|
|
MEN OF STRENGTH (MOST) CLUBS IN CALIFORNIA
MOST Clubs are popping up in a city near you. Click on the links below to visit the following communities where MOST Clubs are getting their start.
Your county not listed? Click here to ask about when a MOST Club will be coming to your area.
|
|
