On Friday, Feb. 23, the fourth graduation ceremony for the Boys to Men program was held at the Danville Police Department.
The program, with 15 graduates Friday from the RISE Academy, began in 2023. Under the leadership of Sgt. D.C. Ferguson, Boys to Men provides young men with resources and tools they need as they make the transition from their youth to adulthood.
Since the program’s inception in 2023, a total of 66 teens have completed the program.
“When you started this program, on day one I called you boys. But as I told you, you will make a change and grow. And now as you sit before me today, you’re no longer boys. You’re men,” Sgt. Ferguson told the graduates. “You’ve come to realize while this uniform and badge are symbols of authority, there is a man, a human, inside this uniform who is willing to help you.”
Boys to Men is an informative and educational program aimed at young men ages 12-17 to discuss becoming a man of courage with strength, wisdom, ambition, and gentleness.
The topics covered include deep listening and radical vulnerability; hygiene and protecting and taking care of your body; gaming as a profession; education, communication and inspiration (how to enjoy learning reading and writing); how to treat women; how to apply for and fill out job applications; how to dress and speak at interviews; and cell phone, social media, and online safety.
Topics encourage engagement between everyone involved.
“This program is one of the most rewarding for those who complete it. We bring in guest speakers from Shining Diamonds Youth Mentoring who put a spotlight on what it means to recognize authority and be a team player. We have Wallace Saunders who was once incarcerated and has shared his story about the consequences of his actions, and why they don’t want to follow that path,” Sgt. Ferguson said.
For some graduates, it was a struggle to gain employment prior to going through Boys to Men. After completing the program, Sgt. Ferguson said there are graduates that have successfully found jobs and are happy with where they are.
“Every child has that potential, it just has to be found. Maybe they need a little more encouragement. Whatever it may be, we tell each graduate whether they’re 18 or 30, no matter what age you are, if you’ve got a problem call one of us. We are here to help you,” Sgt. Ferguson said.
The Boys to Men program is scheduled to be held at least four times a year but is also given at juvenile detention centers when requested.