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
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