Who We Are

In 1995 Boys to Men was founded by Michael Marion through the vision and desire to serve disadvantaged boys In Johnson City TN. What began as a need for a boys’ 8-9 basketball coach at Stratton Elementary School developed into a one day a week after-school program with 5 little boys. The schools’ guidance counselor Laura Henderson asked Michael to begin this group due to the great need. Stratton served a socially and economically disadvantaged population with little parental involvement.

After Michael and his wife Sherry had worked in group homes for teenage boys for over ten years they realized that these youth had to be reached at an earlier age to have an impact on their lives.

In 1998 Michael received a state Dept of Health grant to work with the program full-time and a girl component called “Girlfriends”. Currently BTM is still receives this funding.

In 2001 BTM received a state grant from the Commission on Children and Youth to begin an additional program at North Side Elementary, serving a similar population as Stratton. BTM was able to add 3 additional staff and 50 more kids to the program.

In 2001 BTM began a mentoring program providing one on one mentors to the over 120 core kids they serve. In addition, the program has added two summer camp options one in Missouri and one local, sports teams for both boys and girls, a youth group day for middle and high school students and a student’s leadership team that participates in Bible studies and youth conferences as well as mission trips.

In addition in 2005 BTM received federal funding to serve NE TN through Abstinence only classes to middle and high school students (W8) and to provide mentors to children of an incarcerated parent (Children of Promise). Through these two programs BTM currently maintains a staff of 14 full-time and many part-time to provide for the needs of the children they serve.

In 2005 Boys to Men received a grant to mentor children of prisoners. This grant was renewed for 3 years in September of 2006.

In 2006 Boys to Men expanded their after school program to Lamar Elementary in South Washington County. This program is lead by Khris Morelock and is in partnership with New Victory Baptist Church.

Also in 2006, we purchased the former Dawn of Hope building in Johnson City. Now called, “The Refuge”, it has allowed us to have our own on-site after school program, office space, training classrooms and kitchens to serve 100 kids a day.

Currently Boys to Men serves directly 250 youth as well as 1000’s in our abstinence program and promotions.