Why It Matters – The Cause

Boys and men across Washington are facing growing challenges that deserve attention and action.

Over the past few decades boys and men have faced unique challenges. Statistics indicate that boys and men are falling behind in many areas such as academic achievement, high school and college graduation, work force placement and social skills development. In addition, gender comparisons show that boys and men are experiencing increasing suicide rates, higher drug use, amplified aggression and acting out as well as deepening loneliness and isolation. Few boys have positive male role models or an encouraging father figure in their lives and the number of single-father households in need of support is growing.

There are many intertwined reasons for these concerning trends. However, there are few resources available to address these issues. WFBM intends to meet this dilemma by providing support for individual immediate needs and established programs as well as by partnering with organizations and initiatives that are focused on improving the lives of boys and men in areas of education, physical and psychological health, life skills and vocational readiness.