Open Arms Program Empowers Young Men
The Salvation Army’s Open Arms Centre in Halifax recently hosted its inaugural Boys Day, part of their S.T.R.O.N.G. initiative. The one-day event welcomed boys between the ages of seven and 18, aiming to empower them through mentorship, mental health support and highlighting positive male role models.
S.T.R.O.N.G. was inspired by BRAVE, the Army’s empowerment initiative for girls. It was created to give boys at Open Arms a similar opportunity to build confidence, leadership skills and experience the benefits of community.
“We had a plan to make it similar to the girls’ event but with emphasis on the boys,” says Mitch Brower, program co-ordinator at the Open Arms Centre. “We wanted to make sure there was a similar initiative available for boys that would have the same impact.”
On Boys Day, participants enjoyed a variety of fun and meaningful activities, including video and board games, as well as group discussions. The focus was not solely on entertainment; it was about creating a safe space where boys felt comfortable opening up and connecting with others.
“It was a chance for some of them to escape from whatever they may be going through in their lives, relax and enjoy themselves a bit,” Mitch shares.
A key theme of the day emphasized responsibility and leadership, using relatable figures such as superheroes and sports icons to get the message across effectively.
“A lot of them are soccer fans, so I used Lionel Messi as an example to talk about what it means to be responsible and build leadership,” Mitch adds.
The event also encouraged boys to rethink traditional ideas of masculinity.
“We talked about how men and boys are often pushed into certain categories such as being the provider or needing to be the smartest one in the room. We want people who can protect and provide, but there is always an opportunity for us also to be supporters, uplift, value and listen to our partners,” Mitch says.
Open Arms hopes to host more Boys Days in the future, providing returning participants with the opportunity to continue building on their new friendships and allowing new participants to learn valuable lessons in a supportive setting.
“Some of the boys were already asking me when the next one is,” says Mitch. “That’s a good sign. It means we are doing something right.”
By Juan Romero
