Young Men & Alumni Served
Partner Schools
Hours of Weekly Mentoring
Founded
About Young Man With A Plan
Creating a culture of brotherhood, respect, and aspiration.
Young Man with a Plan (YMWAP) delivers holistic mentoring that helps young Black and Latino men in Boston build brotherhood, make academic and social-emotional gains, and access sustainable futures.
YMWAP serves young men in grades 7–12 who are often overlooked because they are neither the highest-performing students nor considered acutely at risk. These young men can benefit greatly from sustained guidance, mentorship, and a place where they belong.
Through in-school mentoring, after-school programming, coaching, and individualized support, young men receive 3+ hours of mentoring each week. YMWAP also continues to engage alumni through age 24 and beyond.
The organization creates a protective community where young men can develop academic, social-emotional, critical thinking, financial literacy, leadership, and life skills.
Our Five Strategies
Research-informed strategies that support long-term success.
Connecting Youth to Caring Adults
Building meaningful relationships with trusted mentors and adults.
Building Essential Skills
Strengthening academic, social-emotional, critical thinking, and financial literacy skills.
Individualized Success Planning
Helping each young man create goals and a personalized path toward success.
Quality Partnerships
Working with schools, families, organizations, and community partners.
Protective Community
Creating a supportive environment built around brotherhood, respect, and aspiration.
What YMWAP Provides
Mentoring and programming designed to support young men through school and into their futures.
🎓 Academic Support
Mentoring and coaching that help young men make academic gains, stay engaged in school, and develop skills for continued education.
🧠 Social-Emotional Development
Young men receive support in developing confidence, emotional skills, critical thinking, communication, and healthy relationships.
💰 Financial Literacy
Programming helps young men develop financial knowledge and skills that can support long-term independence.
🎯 Individual Success Planning
Mentors work with participants to establish goals and identify the steps needed to achieve academic, career, and life success.
👥 Brotherhood & Mentoring
YMWAP creates a culture where young men can connect with peers, trusted adults, and mentors who understand and support their goals.
🚀 College, Career & Life Preparation
Young men receive guidance designed to help them pursue sustainable futures beyond high school.
Our History
From a small mentoring initiative to a growing Boston organization.
The Need Was Identified
Cross-sector Boston school leaders met to discuss achievement gaps, academic disengagement, and increasing neighborhood violence. Their most urgent concern was high school men of color who were considered "in the middle."
Young Man With A Plan Launches
YMWAP launched in response to this need, beginning with seed funding from the Charles Hayden Foundation.
Expanding the Mentoring Model
The organization grew from one staff leader, eight school-based mentors, and 30 students into a larger organization serving hundreds of young men and alumni.
Hyde Park Space
YMWAP rented upstairs space in Hyde Park, creating a dedicated program space for the young men it serves.
Social Innovation Forum
YMWAP was selected as a Social Innovation Forum Innovator.
501(c)(3) Status
YMWAP received its 501(c)(3) status, marking a significant milestone in the organization's growth.
Expanded Hyde Park Program Space
YMWAP expanded its Hyde Park program space by adding the ground-floor space below its existing office. The additional 3,000 square feet includes a fitness area, kitchen, shower, and washer-dryer facilities.
Partner Schools
YMWAP recruits participants from schools throughout Boston.
Leadership
Guided by research, mentorship, and lived experience.
Jaykyri Simpson, Ed.D.
Executive Director of Young Man With A Plan. Dr. Simpson's doctoral research on Black male college persistence affirmed the value of mentoring and the importance of providing young Black men with explicit guidance respectfully delivered by trusted people.
🕒 Hours
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Friday Closed
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
Hours may vary for programs, mentoring sessions, events, or appointments. Please contact YMWAP directly to confirm availability.
Connect With YMWAP
Learn more, get involved, or connect with the organization.
📍 Location
1178 River Street
Hyde Park, MA 02136