By Buzz Anderson
Santa Cruz MENtors, under the guidance of executive director, Deutron Kebebew, is starting its third year of operation, beginning this Father’s Day.
Deutron Kebebew, executive director of Santa Cruz MENtors, shares a moment with his daughter LuLu. • Photo Credit: Evin Arici-Kebebew
MENtors was conceived by Deutron when he saw the need for expanding “PAPAS,” an organization he previously ran for over a decade. Besides teaching fathers the positive skills and behaviors needed to help them become better role models and more connected to their families, MENtors also targets middle school and high school youth, offering pathways in which to channel their emerging masculinity in confidant and non-violent ways.
MENtors also serves any man who wants to improve his interpersonal relationships, be it with a spouse or girlfriend, co-workers, neighbors or friends. No one is turned away, regardless of their standing in the community.
In these trying times amid the Covid-19 pandemic, MENtors is conducting their group sessions on-line via Zoom and other platforms. Although this is not ideal, the nonprofit is still able to service its community, providing the tools, through advocacy and education, that enrich the lives of boys and men.
Following their mission statement, MENtors is committed to supporting boys and men in reaching their full potential while placing a high value on emotional health, communication skills and peaceful conflict resolution. They seek to reverse the statistical pattern of crime, truancy, homelessness, domestic violence and substance abuse associated with absentee fatherhood and harmful male socialization.
A big part of MENtors is its “100 Mentors Who Care in Santa Cruz County.” This group donates a dollar a day to help MENtors run their programs, as well as providing a resource of community members who assist in cross generational and knowledge transfer. Volunteers may participate in school presentations, as well as offer their involvement in panel discussions and annual seminars. A person who joins 100 MENtors gives their time according to their availability and on an as-needed support basis.
In honor of Father’s Day, the nonprofit is seeking to increase the number of its active volunteers. If you would like to support men in general, fatherhood enrichment, and education and coaching for boys regarding their masculinity and manhood, then please contact us at www.mentorsdc.org. We are looking for community members that can be positive male role models in our society.
MENtors is currently using the film “The Mask You Live In” as a learning tool for youth. The film explores current themes of masculinity in our society and offers positive ways to end cycles of aggression, domination and emotional stoicism. The movie serves as a catalyst for much overdue dialogue about masculinity.
Deutron views “The Mask” as a call to arms to drive sustainable change for boys, men and dads in ways that inspire personal growth, better father and family involvement and healthier communities.
“We’ve shown it to numerous classes and have received great responses from both teachers and students, as well as from the various men’s groups that have viewed it,” he said. “Everyone who sees it will benefit in a positive way.”
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MENtors has accepted the challenge to help guide and coach the next generation of boys, men and fathers. We invite others to join us on that journey. For further information visit the MENtor’s website, e-mail the director, Deutron at [email protected] or phone/text 1-831-588-7592.