Mentorship groups across the country say the same thing:
There just aren’t enough men stepping up.
(Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Pew Research Center, Care.com, University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, Scouting America, National Congregations Study, American Board of Pediatrics) By The New York Times
There are more boys in need of guidance than there are men willing to offer it.
And in a world where community feels more disconnected than ever—
where church attendance is down, neighborhoods are quieter, and kids spend more time behind screens than with elders—
our boys are growing up surrounded by noise, but starving for wisdom.
I see this firsthand with JustINSPIRE.
I didn’t grow up here in Baltimore. But I’ve given my heart to this city’s youth—because I believe in them.
I’ve invested time, energy, money I don’t always have…
And yet, I still find myself asking:
“Where are the other men? The fathers? The neighbors? The uncles and big brothers?”
Sometimes it feels like I care more about the future of this community than people who’ve lived here their whole lives.
And that’s not judgment—it’s heartbreak.
I’m not asking for perfection.
I’m asking for presence.
I’m asking for consistency.
I’m asking for men to show up.
If you’ve ever said, “I want to help,” or “Somebody needs to do something for these boys…”
Know this: You are that somebody.
JustINSPIRE isn’t looking for superheroes.
We’re looking for real people with real stories who want to plant seeds that will grow.
If you have an hour a week, a lesson learned, or a heart that cares—you qualify.
Let’s not keep saying “they need help” while sitting still.
Let’s be the ones they can look back on and say,
“That man showed up for me.”
