Merge_logo_white
  • ABOUT
    • Mission
    • History / Legacy
    • FAQs
    • Our Team
    • Job Openings
    • Contact Us
  • EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE
    • Healthy Boys Training
    • Coaching Program
    • Children’s Book Campaign
    • Partnership Opportunities
    • Events Calender
  • TRAINING/CONSULTING
    • Our Training Approach
    • Organizational Consulting
    • Healthy Boys Training Report
    • Teacher Feedback
    • MERGE Training Request
  • RESOURCES
    • Masculinity in the News
    • MERGE Tools and Videos
    • Children’s Book Videos
    • Discussion Guides
    • Reports
  • DONATE

MERGE Presents Successful VTAEYC Keynote Address

May 28, 2024 by mergefo1

MERGE for Equality was honored with an invitation this past season to offer the keynote address for the annual conference of the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, VTAEYC.

Being asked to offer the keynote to a banquet hall full of Vermont early childhood educators, administrators, and several national luminaries in the field was a great opportunity to share widely our passion for “Developing Healthy Boys”.

The two day conference took place in Stowe, VT at the Stoweflake Resort and Conference Center. Our talk was scheduled for the first morning and each of us took a component of the training to explain and explore. We followed the keynote with a workshop focusing on our core curriculum.

Three of our senior trainers, who have years of experience training folks in our approach to transforming masculinity and gender as well as reflecting on the essential role of early childhood workers, were eager to engage the audience with the essential elements.

I personally opened with a welcome and provided the history and the reasons for our work. We highlighted that, along with training participants, we are seeking to foster a new humane masculinity that both builds on the healthiest aspects of existing masculinity and fosters and celebrates access to a wider range of self-awareness, emotions, nurturing, compassion, relationships, and gender expression. We then moved into a brief description of our offerings from the workshop to coaching in both English and Spanish followed by a brief description of the co-constructive reading approach and our gender affirming books.

Next James Arana, our most senior trainer, presented the Man Box and the “Story of the Boy” to dramatize the ways in which aspects of traditional masculinity can stifle healthy gender development in boys. He somehow managed to involve the audience as he always does so movingly in the workshop setting even though there were at least 400 people in attendance! That’s the power of the story and James’ delivery.

Finally, our third senior leader, Keira Durrett, an early childhood expert, brought her experience as a childcare provider and director into the presentation and shared her perspective on what the training offers those in the field. She highlighted the awareness she and colleagues gain from the approach taken by “Developing Healthy Boys” and ended the presentation interviewing me about the nature and value of our coaching component.

It was a stirring keynote with great responses from the gathered multitude and we would love to have the opportunity to offer another.

MERGE remains interested in offering creative workshops customized for centers and communities focusing on the needs of boys, fathers and male caregivers.

 

Filed Under: News

MERGE Receives Grant for Spanish Adaptation

October 18, 2023 by mergefo1

MERGE for Equality Awarded $5,000 Grant from The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation


Boston, MA – October, 18 2023 – MERGE for Equality, a program of The North American MenEngage Network (NAMEN), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting gender equality, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant of $5,000 from The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. These funds will be instrumental in advancing the Spanish language and cultural adaptation of the MERGE Training for Early Childhood Educators, making this crucial program more accessible and inclusive.

The MERGE Training for Early Childhood Educators, Developing Healthy Boys,  is a pioneering program that empowers educators to foster an equitable learning environment from the very start of a child’s educational journey. By training educators to address issues related to gender, power, and socialization, the program helps create a foundation for a more just and equal society.

This grant from The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation will be used to facilitate the implementation of a cultural adaptation of the program’s materials into Spanish, allowing a wider group of educators, particularly in Spanish-speaking communities, to engage with and benefit from this valuable training. In addition, it will support the development of resources that are sensitive to the cultural nuances and specific needs of these communities.

“We are immensely grateful to The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation for their generous support,” said Craig Norberg-Bohm, Operations Manager at MERGE for Equality. “This grant will enable us to expand our reach and impact, ensuring that our training reaches a more diverse group of educators and, by extension, the children under their care.”

The grant aligns perfectly with the core mission of NAMEN, which is committed to addressing issues of gender and equality across various demographics. By making the MERGE Training for Early Childhood Educators available in Spanish and culturally adapted, the organization takes a significant step towards fostering equitable environments and values from an early age.

The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation has a longstanding commitment to supporting initiatives that promote education, health, and wellness in the community. Their partnership with MERGE for Equality underscores their dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of children and educators in the region.

About MERGE for Equality:

MERGE for Equality is a non-profit organization that advocates for gender equality through transformative education and training programs. By working with schools, organizations, and communities, MERGE for Equality seeks to create a more equitable world by improving the understanding of boys, where every individual can thrive.

For more information, visit www.mergeforequality.org

About The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation:

The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to improving the quality of life for residents in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. They support initiatives in the areas of education, health, and wellness to strengthen communities and create a brighter future.

For more information, visit www.davisfdn.org.

###

For media inquiries, please contact Craig Norberg-Bohm at 413-586-3734

or craig@mergeforequality.org.

Filed Under: News

MERGE seeks to add Associate Trainers

August 28, 2022 by mergefo1

MERGE operates with two levels of trainers, Senior and Associate Trainers.   Most programs are conducted with two trainers presenting the materials, one Senior Trainer and One Associate Trainer.   MERGE for Equality offers Developing Healthy Boys Training for Early Childhood Educators, and we seek to add new Associate Trainers to our team.

Read more

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Boys and Men as Partners for Advancing Gender Equality

February 17, 2020 by mergefo1

 

 

 

Boys and Men as Partners for Advancing Gender Equality

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Redefining Manhood: How to Promote Healthy Masculinity Among Boys

February 13, 2020 by mergefo1

A Counseling resource approaching helping boys and men to become free of the traditional masculine constraints and barriers to health.

Read the article here

 

Filed Under: News

MERGE for Equality to Join North America MenEngage Network

November 3, 2019 by mergefo1

For Immediate Release

MERGE for Equality to Join North America MenEngage Network

Two gender equality organizations with the specific focus on masculinities and engaging men and boys are joining forces, leaders of MERGE for Equality and the North American MenEngage Network recently announced. MERGE for Equality, a Massachusetts nonprofit noted for its innovative training promoting the emotional and social development of boys, is set to become a program of the North American MenEngage Network (NAMEN), a U.S.-Canadian network of educators, advocates and activists, and regional member of the Global MenEngage Alliance.

“We are delighted for MERGE to become a program offered through NAMEN,” said Shane Joseph, Co-Chair of NAMEN’s Steering Committee. “Its core program—training early childhood educators about issues related to boys’ socialization—is completely in line with our mission – working with men and boys to achieve gender equality, end violence, and promote health for men, women and children.” James Arana, MERGE Senior Consultant, concurs, “When boys are equipped with the tools to cultivate their emotional intelligence, they thrive personally, socially and academically, and grow to become caring, engaged and accountable men.”

With the program now becoming a part of NAMEN, MERGE founder John Engel is stepping down as executive director. “I can’t think of a more fitting organization for MERGE to join than the North American MenEngage Network,” Engel said. “It has the expertise, commitment and focus to direct not just our early childhood initiative but also our children’s book campaign that promotes positive images of emotionally sensitive boys,” Engel said.

“In addition to beneficial program impacts, joining the two organizations brings administrative and financial benefits,” said Craig Norberg-Bohm, NAMEN’s Administrative Coordinator. “NAMEN becomes a tax exempt nonprofit corporation and can now formally apply for funding to build its operational and programmatic capacity. Sharing administrative tasks will enable all of us to maximize resources available to focus on the shared mission – gender equality.”

As a program of NAMEN, MERGE’s early childhood initiative will continue without significant change, according to Steven Botkin, Co-Chair of NAMEN’s Steering Committee and MERGE Senior Consultant. “MERGE itself carries the legacies of the Men’s Resource Center of Western Massachusetts and Men’s Resources International,” Botkin said. “Joining MERGE and NAMEN together is the perfect next chapter in our evolution.”

 

For more information, contact 

Craig Norberg-Bohm, MERGE Administrative Coordinator
MERGE for Equality
info@mergeforequality.org

Shane Joseph, NAMEN Co-Chair
Steven Botkin, NAMEN Co-Chair
North American MenEngage Network

-end-

Filed Under: News

Promundo Releases Third State of the Worlds Fathers Report

July 6, 2019 by mergefo1

The third State of the World’s Fathers report reveals new research on men’s caregiving from 11 countries, with additional cross-country analysis of data from over 30 countries. It calls for men’s uptake of their full share of the world’s childcare and domestic work – across all societies and relationships – to advance gender equality.

State of the World’s Father: Unlocking Men’s Care

Filed Under: News

Traditional Masculinity Can Hurt Boys, Say New A.P.A. Guidelines

January 13, 2019 by mergefo1

Traditional Masculinity can hurt boys, say new guidelines from the American Psychological Association. Read the full article here.

 

Traditional Masculinity Can Hurt Boys, Say New A.P.A. Guidelines

Filed Under: News

Being a Boy: Age 8

December 19, 2018 by mergefo1

Brian Campbell grew up stifled by his father’s expectations about masculinity. He wants something different for his own son. Amy Joyce shares his story in this Washington Post article.

Being a Boy

Filed Under: News

Boy Talk: Breaking Masculine Stereotypes

November 2, 2018 by mergefo1

Can teaching boys to question gender roles improve their well-being and prevent sexual violence? Andrew Reiner examines this question in the NY Times article Boy Talk:Breaking Masculine Stereotypes

Filed Under: News

Next Page »
UPCOMING EVENTS
DONATE
CONTACT

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RSS

RECENT NEWS

  • MERGE Presents Successful VTAEYC Keynote Address
  • MERGE Receives Grant for Spanish Adaptation
  • MERGE seeks to add Associate Trainers
  • Boys and Men as Partners for Advancing Gender Equality
  • Redefining Manhood: How to Promote Healthy Masculinity Among Boys

© 2025 MERGE for Equality. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Crafted by Midnightson Designs