Santa Cruz County · Pajaro Valley

From boyhood to fatherhood, no one grows alone.

MENtors Driving Change for Boys, Men, and Dads offers evidence-based, bilingual, culturally rooted mentoring, peer groups and fatherhood programs across Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley, led by people with lived experience.

Join a Group Make a Referral Give this season

670 boys, men and dads served since 2017

7,200 + hours of service delivered

25 volunteers

Since 2017 serving Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley

Stand with MENtors this season · Now through December 31

Dads helping dads

100 Dads Who Care Santa Cruz County

No dad should have to figure out fatherhood alone. Join 100 local fathers giving $100 each, and become a peer mentor to a new, single or system-impacted dad.

“I stand with MENtors because no dad should have to figure out fatherhood alone.”

2 of 100 dads joined

Take the pledge — $100 Learn more

Santa Cruz Gives · Year-end gift

Give a gift that keeps dads and boys connected

Your year-end gift keeps fathers’ groups, Jr. MENtors and Skills Lab running in English and Spanish. From November 19, give through Santa Cruz Gives and your gift is boosted by matching funds.

Give today Santa Cruz Gives

For every boy, young man, man and dad

100 Men Who Care Santa Cruz County

Uncles, coaches, brothers, grandfathers and neighbors: give $100 and help mentor the next generation of Jr. MENtors.

“I stand with MENtors. Every boy, young man, man and dad deserves the education, support and resources to thrive.”

Join 100 Men — $100 Learn more

Every week

Ongoing groups

Most groups meet online or hybrid on Zoom, in English and Spanish. All groups are free.

Join a group

Dads

Fatherhood & co-parenting

Dad's Group: Hands on Fatherhood

Hands on Fatherhood strengthens father involvement and co-parenting to advance children’s well-being, through Supporting Father Involvement groups in English and Spanish, Father's Group and New Dads.

“Stronger dads. Stronger co-parenting. Stronger children”

Boys & young men

Jr. MENtors

Boy's Group

Jr. MENtors guides boys on their journey from boyhood to manhood through teaching, coaching, and mentorship—equipping them with the skills, support, and resources to thrive. School-based groups in Pajaro Valley middle and high schools, now expanding to North County.

“Empowering boys with guidance, coaching, and resources on the path from boyhood to manhood”

Men 18+

Level Up & Skills Lab

Men's Group

Level Up Men’s Program supports men on their journey through manhood and relationships—building healthy masculinity with practical skills, coaching, and resources.

Skills Lab adds healthy coping and conflict skills.

“Developing healthy masculinity, stronger relationships”

Families

Daddy & Me

Dads & kids · New & expecting dads

Daddy & Me is a weekly group where dads and their young children play, learn and bond together, in partnership with Raíces y Cariño. Dads build confidence and connection with their little ones while meeting other fathers.

New & Expecting Dads is an 8-week series offering education, support and networking for fathers preparing for, or adjusting to, life with a new baby.

“Strong bonds start early”

Coming up

Upcoming events

Save the date

4th MENtors Boys, Men & Dads Conference

Wednesday–Thursday, April 21–22, 2027 15 Madison Community Center, Watsonville

Two days bringing the full boyhood-to-fatherhood continuum together for the first time. For parents, youth, providers, educators and community partners.

Day 1 · Boys & young men

Developmental assets, post-COVID mental health and partner networking.

Day 2 · Men's health & fatherhood

Healing, father involvement, first-time fathers, and paternal and maternal mental health.

Registration opens April 1, 2027.

Get conference updates Become a sponsor

Now through December 31

100 Dads Who Care & 100 Men Who Care

Join 100 local fathers and 100 men giving $100 each, and become a peer mentor to a dad or a Jr. MENtors group mentor.

Take the pledge

Year-end giving

Santa Cruz Gives

Your year-end gift keeps fathers' groups, Jr. MENtors and Skills Lab running in English and Spanish, boosted by matching funds.

Give today

Building a stronger network of service

Trainings & lecture series

Trainings for fathers and father-figures, and for anyone working with, supporting or resourcing fathers and families. Our 2027 series runs January through June.

Past trainings

January 2027

Navigating Child Support, Custody & Family Court for Fathers

For fathers and father-figures · Date to be announced

February 2027

Partnering with Fathers and Father-Figures

For providers · Date to be announced

March & April 2027

Fathers Serving Fathers, Parts I & II

For fathers and father-figures · Dates to be announced

May 2027

Working with Fathers from Different Walks of Life

For providers · Date to be announced

June 2027

Understanding & Implementing Evidence-Based Fatherhood Programs

For providers · Date to be announced

Fatherhood and co-parenting event banner, February 27, 2021

Bring a training to your team

We train schools, agencies and community partners on engaging fathers and father-figures.

Request a training

Changing systems for fathers

Policy, advocacy, practice & systems change

We work with public systems, schools and community partners to make family services father-friendly, from county policy to the front desk.

Fatherhood Advisory Council

Highlight

7 principles of father-friendly systems and organizations

1
Include fathers' needs Build fathers into how every family service is designed and delivered.
2
Provide father-friendly services Be open, welcoming and supportive, with father-specific programs.
3
Show positive father images Use diverse images of fathers in materials, with welcoming spaces for men.
4
Create positions that serve fathers Recruit men into roles serving fathers and build a career path.
5
Train staff to engage fathers Prepare every staff member who works with families to work with men and dads.
6
Expect father participation Set policies with a clear expectation that fathers will take part.
7
Serve the whole family Make it clear that programs are for fathers, as well as mothers and children.

Adapted from the Father-Friendly Principles of the Alameda County Fathers Corps, adopted by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in 2015.

Policy

Father-inclusive policy

Advancing father-inclusive policy in child welfare, child support, probation and health, locally and through the California Fatherhood Council.

Advocacy

Fathers' voices at the table

Lifting up fathers with lived experience through our Fatherhood Advisory Council and Lived Experience groups.

Practice

Father-friendly practice

Training and coaching staff to engage fathers at every point of service, from intake forms to home visits.

Systems change

A coalition across the Central Coast

Building the Central Coast Fatherhood Coalition & Collaborative so father-friendly practice becomes the norm.

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors proclamation declaring June 2024 Fatherhood and Father Involvement Month.

Make your organization father-friendly

We help schools, agencies and community partners assess and put the 7 principles into practice through training, self-assessment and coaching.

Request a consultation

Learn & share

Community & resources

Why fathers matter

The father absence crisis in America

17M+

children in the U.S. live in a home without their father present.

Research shows that children who grow up without a father in the home face higher risks:

4×

Poverty Greater risk of living in poverty

7×

Teen pregnancy More likely to become pregnant as a teen

2×

Education More likely to drop out of high school

2×

Infant health Greater risk of infant mortality

2×

Child obesity More likely to struggle with obesity

▲

Behavior More likely to have behavioral problems

▲

Child safety More likely to face abuse and neglect

▲

Substance use More likely to abuse drugs and alcohol

▲

Justice More likely to be involved in crime

▲

Incarceration More likely to go to prison

Involved fathers change these odds. That's why MENtors walks alongside boys, young men, men and dads.

Sources: National Fatherhood Initiative, "The Father Absence Crisis" and 2024 father absence update (U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey).

Why boys and men matter

The boys & men crisis in America

4×

Men are about four times more likely than women to die by suicide. Males are half the population but nearly 80% of suicides.

Across health, education, work and family, boys and men are falling behind:

71%

Overdose Of U.S. drug overdose deaths are men

5×

Young men Overdose death rate for men in their 20s is up five times since 2001

2×

Suicide & class Men without a college degree die by suicide at twice the rate of graduates

5 yrs

Life expectancy Men live about five years less than women

93%

Incarceration Of people sentenced to state and federal prison are men

15 pts

Education Gender gap in bachelor's degrees, with boys behind

6.9M

Work Working-age men not working or looking for work

21%

Family Of children are raised by a single mom, up from 11% in 1968

Boys and men need connection, purpose and support. MENtors builds it in schools, groups and families.

Sources: CDC National Center for Health Statistics (suicide, 2023); American Institute for Boys and Men (overdose, life expectancy, education, work, family); Bureau of Justice Statistics, Prisoners in 2023.

Father's Lived Experience Group with CWS Spring 2025

Young Adult Lived Experience Group with CWS Spring 2026

Fatherhood Advisory Council Page News & resources Page

Central Coast Fatherhood Coalition & Collaborative Coming soon

See all events & activities

In their own words

What our fathers say about MENtors

Because of MENtors, I see my children weekly.
Father, MENtors Father's Group

Closer to my children

“Because of MENtors, I am closer to my children.”

“I connect and share my feelings with my children.”

“I have learned new skills and a parenting style to connect with my kids.”

Fathers in MENtors groups

Co-parenting as a team

“I communicate better and fight less with my co-parent.”

“I work as a team with my co-parent.”

“I have learned to work with my co-parent and build a bridge with her.”

Fathers in MENtors groups

Growing as a man

“I learned self-awareness and self-care.”

“I learned to mediate and ground myself.”

“I am a good listener, effective communicator and problem solver after group.”

“I discipline differently. Before, I punished; now I teach.”

“I know how to move from good to great with the P.R.I.D.E. tool.”

Fathers in MENtors groups

Navigating the system

“I was able to successfully navigate family court and child support.”

“I strongly recommend listening to and trusting the MENtors folks and the other dads in group. They have the wisdom and are here to help.”

Fathers in MENtors groups

87 participants, FY 2025-26

161 group sessions

978 participant hours in group

All MENtors groups are free, with groups in English and Spanish for fathers, father-figures, men and young men in Santa Cruz County.

Join a group Make a referral

Our approach

How our groups work

Every MENtors fatherhood group is built around five relationships that shape a father's life, and a simple session rhythm we call G.R.O.U.P.

Fatherhood relationships

Five relationships every father and co-parent tends

Self

Couple or co-parent

Child

Family of origin

Community

At the center Dad

1
Relationship with self Knowing your story, values, emotions and health: the foundation for every other relationship.
2
Relationship with your couple or co-parent Communicating, solving problems and working as a team for your children, together or apart.
3
Relationship with your child Being present, nurturing and consistent at every age and stage.
4
Relationship with your family of origin Understanding how you were raised, and choosing what to carry forward and what to change.
5
Relationship with community Building support through friends, mentors, work, faith and local services.

The MENtors Dad's Group

The G.R.O.U.P. session rhythm

Each group session moves through five steps, so every dad arrives, connects, learns and leaves with something to take home.

G
Ground Arrive and settle in, grounding ourselves through our senses.
R
Relax & breathe A mindful pause to quiet the mind and be present.
O
Open up Check in with our emotions and thoughts, honestly and without judgment.
U
Understand Education, awareness, skills and support for fatherhood and co-parenting.
P
Personal insight Reflect on what we learned and what we'll carry into the week.

Groups are free, led by facilitators with lived experience, and offered in English and Spanish.

Join a group

Tools for dads & families

Resources for families

Free guides and local resources we share with the fathers and families in our groups.

About MENtors

MENtors at a glance PDF Our programs and how to get involved, on one page. Great for sharing with a partner or referral source. Download

For parents

Ages & stages Website What to expect as your child grows, from baby to teen, and how to support each stage. Open guide Talking with kids about race Website Practical ways to start honest, age-appropriate conversations about race and fairness. Open guide

For youth & families

Youth activities calendar Website Youth activities and community events across Santa Cruz County, in one calendar. See the calendar

System support

Probation Service Center catalog PDF Services and classes through Santa Cruz County Probation, including reentry, job readiness, parenting and basic needs. Available by Probation referral. Download

As featured in Lookout Santa Cruz

Read our Lookout Santa Cruz page

Who we are

Driving change for boys, men and dads

Our vision

We believe that boys, men and fathers can have a healthier social and emotional development that enriches their awareness, engagement and connection, while building lasting relationships with themselves, their families and our community.

Our mission

MENtors is committed to supporting and driving sustainable change for boys, men and dads in reaching their full potential as healthy members of their families and communities. MENtors is dedicated to enabling boys, men and dads to overcome bias and barriers and promote awareness, education, support, and empowerment to fulfill their dreams and ambitions.

Boys Young men Men Dads

Learn more about us