A Prevention-Focused Approach to Supporting Boys and Families
For more than 30 years, Dr. Calvin Mann has worked with boys and families through his organization, Encourage Me I’m Young (EMIY), developing a mentoring model centered on relationships, structure, and early intervention.
That work is now captured in a newly published book that outlines what Mann calls the “EMIY Way” — a practical framework designed to help parents, educators and mentors better support young people before challenges escalate.
At the core of the approach is a simple idea: prevention starts with relationships. By focusing on connection, clear boundaries, and encouragement, the model aims to create more supportive environments at home, in schools and in community settings.
Mann’s work emphasizes engaging not only young people, but also the adults around them. His mentoring programs incorporate strong family involvement and provide tools that can be applied across classrooms, households and youth-serving organizations.
As communities continue to look for ways to strengthen mental health and well-being, particularly among young people, the EMIY model offers one example of how early, relationship-based approaches can help build resilience and support healthier outcomes over time.
The book is available on Amazon and provides an introduction to the framework, along with practical strategies for those interested in applying it in their own settings.
