AMCR Newsletter-Autumn 2015

Welcome to the Alaska Men Choose Respect Newsletter for Autumn 2015! This newsletter will keep you updated about the many AMCR related events, volunteer opportunities, and mini-grant opportunities happening across Alaska. More specifically, this newsletter hopes to help men become a part of the statewide movement of men promoting respect.

The COMPASS toolkit continues to be utilized in partnership with Women in Safe Homes and the Organized Village of Saxman. Each participant is well on their way in creating their own canoe paddle. During our time together we talk about the different sections of the COMPASS toolkit and how it relates to our lives. We share stories about our families, participate in interactive games to illustrate the key concept of the evening and work together to cut and carve our canoe paddles. Each mentor shares the responsibility with a young man to plan, design and measure the paddle on planks of yellow cedar. They then work together on power tools with an emphasis on safety. One important story that has happened is one young man's paddle had a few unplanned cuts that occurred and he had to redesign the handle of his paddle. The mentor saw an opportunity to talk with the young man about when unfortunate events happen in our lives and how we need to adapt and grow from those events. The conversation had deep value for both people. As our COMPASS journey continues into the future, our relationships grow stronger and we continue to learn what it means to become men.

ANDVSA will be hosting a COMPASS training in Metlakatla October 22-24

COMPASS: A Guide for Men is a resource for adult male mentors who work with young Alaskan men aged 12 to 18. COMPASS presents mentors with opportunities and activities that are designed to support young men as they explore and identify their values, goals and unique identities. The activities, teachable moments and discussions described in the guide create a safe atmosphere for men and boys to learn about and practice healthy lifestyles. In addition, these strategies are designed to be easily incorporated into the day-to-day interactions that already exist between mentors and youth like team sports, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, etc. Ultimately the guide promotes meaningful conversations between men and male youth that promote healthy identities, build positive relationships, and strengthen safe and violence-free communities.

If you are interested in attending or for more information email amcr@andvsa.org

COMPASS goes to Kodiak

Seven mentors participated in a COMPASS training held in August in Kodiak. Participants came from Ouzinkie, Old Harbor, and Kodiak. The mentors will use the training to encourage the young boys they work with to understand healthy masculinity.