Educational Leaders in Action: Introducing Boys 2 MENtor
Written by Alan-Michael Chest, M.Ed., LMHC
Springfield Native & Educator Steve Winston has worked in youth education and development over the past ten (10) years. Over the course of the past three (3) years, Winston has been working specifically with male youth. Winston graduated from Westfield State University with a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic & Gender Studies in 2014. Post-graduation Winston worked as a facilitator for the National Conference for Community & Justice of the Piedmont Triad, Inc., and as a Senior Education Advisor for MassEdCo. During his work as a facilitator, Winston led weekly groups pertaining to relationship issues involving high school age students with a major emphasis highlighting racial, gender, sexuality, and economical class dynamics. During his educational and professional journey, Winston worked within his Education Advisory role to assist high school students with early college preparation and career awareness. Winston has also worked as an Emergency Education Coordinator which involved providing emergency childcare programming to children ages three (3) through fourteen (14) during the pandemic. Winston continued in his professional journey as a STE(A)M Camp Coordinator who was responsible for planning, organizing, facilitating, and promoting diverse STEM programming; simultaneously to working this position, Winston also worked as an Education Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Winston has maintained leadership at the Boys & Girls Club as the Boys Mentoring Program Coordinator; through this work Winston is able to develop relevant course plans to meet academic, intellectual, and social needs of the many BGC club members. Past BGC programming includes Passport to Manhood in addition to Boys 2 MENtor programming. Many of the services provided by Winston involve counseling students on personal, academic, vocational, and behavioral issues. Aside from working at the Boys & Girls Club, Winston also works full time as a Guidance Counselor based at North High School in Worcester, Massachusetts. Winston has continued to exude a passion for listening to the youth, advocation service, mentorship, and professional development. His work has served as a necessity in the community as he has demonstrated a passion toward nurturing youth and providing a lasting impact in their lives.
What was your key driving force for being involved with the youth?
My interest in working with the youth was sparked by the videos exploring the school and prison pipeline. From exposure to that history, I knew I wanted to get ahead of obstacles that could detrimentally impact our youth from living rewarding lives. I developed a strong desire to nurture the youth to prevent issues of prison incarceration. This led to my journey of working as a Program Director in West Springfield, MA.
How did you come up with the name for your Boys 2 MENtor programming?
My motto has always been “be the person you needed when you were younger” the more knowledge I get from my experience I always revert back to thinking “imagine if I knew this when I was growing up, imagine where I would be. Growing up a black male in the inner city, I used to put myself in a box to fit in even when I wanted to venture out and challenge the status quo, but I never had the confidence to do so until I got older. So with Boys 2 MENtor programming, my mission was to give that confidence to boys early, so they don’t miss out on their true potential. The name is a play on the R&B group “Boys 2 Men” but it encompasses the mission of turning the boys into MEN and Mentors to be able to give back so that the cycle continues. That is what makes me push myself to continue this program, meeting with the boys weekly, and seeing them turn our room from a safe space to a brave space where they take off their “mask” step out the box society tries to put them in and become their true selves because they are in an atmosphere where they are comfortable being themselves. It’s rewarding.
How do you market your programming, and which tactics have been the most successful?
The Director of Operations at the time Joanne Fowling saw potential in the program and my idea and told me to do my thing, 3 years later the CEO Liz Hamilton created a new role “The Boys Mentoring Program Coordinator” because the club saw how beneficial the program was to not only for the boys but for the community, the club and the culture. I am able to market on their social media.
How do you recruit youth for your programming?
An important message that I attempt to get across to parents is that the BGC program is not a babysitting service. We aim to recruit and support the youth that actually want to be there and actively engage in programming. Again, we market through social media for recruitment.
What kind of culture exists at the organization?
We are a very tight knit community. Everyone knows everyone. The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester which is where I hold my weekly meetings has been a great resource for me. The population consists of youth who come from single parent households and some foster care youth. Our youth involvement has increased by 70%.
How many hours a day do you work on average for Boys 2 MENtor programming?
I work about four (4) hours on a typical day.
Can you describe a typical day?
A typical day for me consists of facilitating internship for seniors. The first half of my day involves discussions with the male youth. My programming is made up of six (6) sessions that covers topics such as manhood, academic achievement, relationships with females, and intentional healthy habits.
How do you define success?
Success requires hard work. To me, success is defined as a consistent process. You have to keep going to get results.
What has been one of the most satisfying aspects of the Boys 2 MENtor programming for you?
Knowing that every week the kids look forward to engaging in the program.
What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs by taking on leadership roles in the community?
I would tell them that you have to exemplify passion and patience for whatever it is that you want to do. You must be passionate about making a difference, and patient as it comes to meeting the kids where they are at. Whatever you felt you needed to know when you were younger, be that bridge for the younger generation, that’s because if you know if you had the knowledge then you would be farther now imagine creating something that would slingshot your younger self. Sowing enough seeds will always bring a harvest to others and yourself. Success is not an accident or a chance, it’s hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My biggest inspirations are my parents, my dad Steve Winston Sr – Growing up I watched him share his knowledge, wisdom and his resources free of charge to my friends, our church and our community without hesitation. My mom, Karen Winston is my biggest cheerleader, with everything I did, even now in my 30s, she tries her best to not miss any milestones, accomplishments, failures to pick me up, or even phone calls just to let me vent.
What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage it?
Biggest fear is losing touch with the population I am trying to reach, which pushes me to keep learning what’s going on in the culture, the city, the community. My biggest motivation is, “if I know I can do it, what’s my real excuse not to do it?”
What business-related book has inspired you the most?
A book I read when I felt like I could not find my purpose was Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?” This book revealed the meaning of life from a Christian perspective—five purposes that you were created by God to fulfill: worship, unselfish fellowship, spiritual maturity, your ministry, and your mission.
Best of Luck to you Mr. Winston as you continue to serve the youth through services at the Boys and Girls Club! If anyone is interested in connecting with Mr. Winston to inquire about the Boys 2 MENtor programming, please email him at theboys2mentors@gmail.com.
