Florence Making Connections
Florence Making Connections
Florence Making Connections addresses the mental health and emotional wellness of men and boys of color and male veterans by creating opportunities for social connection. For veterans, the program provides spaces where men can build relationships and challenge the stigma associated with mental distress. For boys of color, they provide recreational activities ranging from basketball to sessions in a music studio where coaches and mentors also work with the boys on mental wellbeing and emotional intelligence.
Photo Credit: LaToria Lewis, Boys & Girls Club
How They're Solving the Problem
How They're Solving the Problem
In two rural counties of South Carolina, social isolation is common, and limited access to employment exacerbates poverty. These challenges weigh especially heavily on boys of color and veterans. Veterans are nearly twice as likely as nonveterans to take their own lives.
Coalition partners are collaborating to implement the following activities:
- With the Hemingway, SC Boys & Girls Club, Florence Making Connections offers traditional activities like basketball that also provide opportunities for the participants to talk about healthy relationships and communication skills.
- Through the Passport to Manhood program, boys of color participate in 15 sessions that include activities ranging from sports to working in a music studio and include discussions of self-esteem, identity, masculinity, relationships, and healthy lifestyles.
- In partnership with SC Thrive, the program is changing norms related to veterans and mental health by providing spaces where veterans can connect.
- HopeHealth has created a Veterans Engagement Plan to connect and support veterans and their families who are patients of the health center
Photo Credit: LaToria Lewis, Boys & Girls Club
Impact
Impact
Florence Making Connections has allowed HopeHealth to extend its reach beyond the clinic walls to work on improving mental health and wellbeing out in the community. Now the health center is collaborating with community organizations and veterans’ groups to not only provide treatment to men and boys who experience mental health challenges, but to also deliver programs that help create community wellbeing. As a result, more veterans and young men of color are connecting with each other and are benefitting from each other’s support.
Photo Credit: Marcus Mitchell, Boys & Girls Club
Participating Organizations
SC Thrive
Boys & Girls Club
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
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