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TROUBLE TEENS

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Support the Mission. Fund the Future.

At Hard2Hero, we believe that every troubled boy has the potential to rise—but it takes resources to reach him.

Your donation helps fund life-changing programs that meet boys in crisis and guide them toward confidence, purpose, and success. From intensive intervention and mentorship to creative expression and leadership development, our programs are built to transform pain into progress.

Your support makes it possible to:

Provide meals, supplies, and transportation for youth in need
Train mentors and staff to lead with excellence and empathy
Offer workshops in music, poetry, leadership, life skills, and more
Create safe spaces where boys can heal, grow, and belong

Every dollar goes directly to empowering a young man who’s been written off—but not by us.

Help us turn the troubled into triumphant. Give today. Be part of the hero’s journey.

National Mentoring Month in January is an opportunity to highlight the critical role that mentors play in the lives of youth and the extent to which young people have access to mentors in America. Unfortunately, new data indicate that decades of mentoring progress may be eroding at a time when youth mental health needs are soaring.

Mentoring involves a supportive, caring relationship between an adult and a young person, either established formally through a program or occurring naturally such as with a neighbor or coach. Formal mentoring relationships may be offered through a school‑, community- or faith-based program. These typically match an adult with a youth and create a structured mentoring experience with organized meetings and activities. Whether established formally or informally, quality mentoring relationships help young people access opportunities and offer support and guidance as they navigate life challenges. Mentors can help close opportunity gaps often observed for youth growing up in poverty or in disadvantaged communities by connecting them with new networks, resources and possibilities that otherwise may not be available.

The research is clear: Relationships play a powerful role in youth development and success. Young people need stable, caring relationships with adults in order to thrive, and mentors can provide this crucial support. In light of the alarming national youth mental health crisis, mentoring is poised to be a key part of the solution to this public health problem. Studies have found that mentoring during childhood can strengthen mental health.

While mentoring relationships have become more common in the last 30 years, new data show a decline in the prevalence of mentoring. A 2023 national study led by MENTOR found that the share of youth ages 18 to 21 who report having had a mentor while growing up dropped six percentage points over the past decade, from 66% in 2013 to 60% in 2022. Reports of having a naturally occurring mentor, rather than a program-provided one, dropped by 13 percentage points. More than 1 in 3 (35%) young adults say they grew up without the support of any mentor.

The decline is at least partially explained by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered youth access to mentors for long periods of time by closing mentoring programs, schools, after-school and sports programs, community events and other activities where youth could encounter mentors. Extended family gatherings stopped for a period as well. Experts also point to the pandemic’s economic crisis and increasing socioeconomic inequality as other possible causes of the decline, recognizing that adults who are financially struggling may not have the time or resources to serve as volunteer mentors.

MENTOR — along with public and private sector leaders and service providers — has been building a mentoring movement in the United States for more than 30 years. Based on decades of research, field capacity building, policy work, advocacy and public education, MENTOR and its partners outlined several recommended next steps in their recent study:

Raise awareness among youth and families about the value of mentoring and how to maximize opportunities around them, especially in areas with greater needs such as rural and low-income communities.
Increase economic stability for American households. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified existing socioeconomic inequities, placing further strain on low-income households and youth. Mental health has also worsened for youth at a time when they report less support from adults. Household stability is a necessary precursor for adults to have the time and ability to invest in being long-term volunteer mentors.
Promote a “mentoring mindset” in adults across all sectors — e.g. education, health, child welfare, justice and immigration — that work with youth. Any adult who works with or alongside youth can be trained to be a mentor, learning how to effectively support youth and foster positive youth relationships.
Place greater emphasis on supporting youth identity development and feelings of belonging through mentoring relationships. Across four generations of individuals who reported having mentors in the 2023 study, two of the most meaningful forms of support were nurturing feelings of belonging and supporting identity development.
Continue to identify and reach young people who are least likely to have mentors or meaningful relationships, such as the groups identified above.

During National Mentoring Month and beyond, everyone can make a difference for youth, including by becoming a mentor (formally or informally), educating oneself or others, engaging in advocacy, supporting mentoring programs and more.

OurVision

To transform troubled youth into resilient leaders who positively contribute to their communities.

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OurMission

To empower junior high and high school boys who are at risk of academic failure, disciplinary issues, and social disconnection. Through mentorship, education, and community engagement.

We help teens rise from hardship to heroism.

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Hard2Hero offers transformative programs for junior high and high school boys who are getting into trouble, falling behind in school, or struggling to find their place. Each program is designed to meet boys where they are—emotionally, academically, and socially—and guide them toward resilience, responsibility, and real change.

William Thomas Jr. Founder

Who We Sevice

CYPRESS FAIRBANKS AREA Houston, Tx.

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Hard2Hero News & Updates

Stay Connected. Stay Inspired.

There’s always something powerful happening at Hard2Hero. From breakthrough moments in our programs to new partnerships, events, and community impact stories—this is where you’ll find the latest updates on how we’re turning trials into triumphs.

Whether it’s a young man taking the stage for the first time in Talent Time, a student graduating from Code Red Redemption, or new volunteers joining the mission, our story is always growing—and we want you to be part of it.

📢 Check back here for:

Program highlights and success stories
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Special announcements and community news

Together, we’re building something real. Something lasting. Something heroic.

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I'm so proud of Hard2Hero. They have done an awesome job and I can't wait for the Talent Time Talent Show!

Nora Jacobs, Teacher

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TROUBLE TEENS

Support the Mission. Fund the Future.

At Hard2Hero, we believe that every troubled boy has the potential to rise—but it takes resources to reach him.

OurVision

OurMission

William Thomas Jr. Founder

Who We Sevice

CYPRESS FAIRBANKS AREA Houston, Tx.

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Where do your program leaders come from?

How do I sign my child or children up?

How long is the program?

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Does a child have to be a troubled child to participate in a program?

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