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Men for Change is a nonprofit mentoring organization that works with youth in Caroline County, providing positive mentorship, guidance, encouragement, and opportunities designed to help young people build their confidence and character.
The organization was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Caroline Foundation last year – money they’ve used to address food accessibility, an important need among the youth they serve.
Men for Change provides meals and snacks for youth during its weekly mentoring meetings and twice-monthly outings, but these meals are more than hospitable gestures. Men for Change says they applied for the Caroline Foundation funding to help address food insecurity and ensure that young people participating in their programs do not have to do so while hungry. Providing this food “allows us to create a welcoming environment where youth can focus on learning, building relationships, and engaging in positive activities,” said Tiffeny Ricks, daughter of Men for Change co-founder David Ricks.
While the Caroline Foundation traditionally supports organizations connected to community health, Men for Change sees its work as directly contributing to the health and well-being of local youth. They point out that reliable access to adequate food is an important component of a young person’s overall health, and addressing hunger can support both physical and emotional well-being. In turn, this approach supports Men for Changes’ ultimate goal of helping young people grow into “healthy, confident, and successful members of our community.”
For Men for Change, grants such as the Caroline Foundation award are also an important part of maintaining its programs. Like many nonprofits, the organization relies on grants, donations, and community support to fund its work. “Funding from grants allows us to direct more of our limited resources toward our youth rather than having to reduce programs or activities due to rising costs,” Ricks said.
