How can you create a powerful message for your community campaign?

Plan your community campaign around the personal values of your supporters. All the messages should reflect it. I believe you are trying to attract people who hold the same values.

We know that the patriarchy ultimately harms everyone, including boys and men. Society pressures boys to constrict their authentic selves, stifling emotional growth and leading to issues like depression, bullying, and substance abuse. However, middle school offers a chance to disrupt the patriarchy and redefine masculinity by promoting healthy communication, self-confidence, and community engagement through experiential learning. Middle school is a time of profound growth—biologically, neurologically, socially, and emotionally. It's a critical phase that shapes lifelong worldviews. Preteens develop self-awareness, curiosity, and the ability to engage beyond themselves. Middle school can change the outcome of our young men.

The key to the right messaging is authenticity getting to know the roots of what your audience cares about, their personal identities and ideologies. Once you have uncovered their story it’s about the Venn diagram of how their stories and our story aligns, and then you can motivate people to a call to action as a solution to the shared problem.

Emphasizing empathy in curricula is crucial for a nurturing middle school experience. We can achieve this by fostering positive teacher-student relationships first and also acknowledging the unique qualities and sensitivity levels of each child, dispelling stereotypes. It's important to recognize that, like everyone else, boys are sensitive and vulnerable, and we should view these traits as strengths. Celebrating these qualities within an inclusive environment not only enhances resilience but also boosts academic confidence. Promoting authentic self-expression and nurturing positive teacher-student relationships bridges a human-centered approach with academic success in the middle school experience.

In our education today, the urgency for middle school boys is crystal clear. Persistent achievement gaps, outdated stereotypes, and the crucial need for emotional growth demand our immediate action. We're at a crossroads. We can either perpetuate inequalities and missed opportunities or embark on a transformative journey. Let's redefine masculinity, celebrate vulnerability, and foster inclusive, empathetic learning environments. We have a unique opportunity to create a better future for middle school boys. Let's take this opportunity to prioritize empathy and experiential learning, fostering healthy communication, boosting confidence, and strengthening their sense of community.

I'd like to add a brief story that illustrates the impact of the 3Cs. One of my middle school students, who had initially struggled with self-confidence and communication, participated in our community learning project focused on addressing homelessness. Through this experience, he not only learned about empathy and teamwork but also discovered his own inner strength. He became a vocal advocate for the unhoused, addressing the community and organizing fundraising events. His transformation into an engaged, compassionate community member reflects the untapped potential within every middle school boy when they're given tools to redefine masculinity and embrace authenticity.