By: Mykola Washchuk – Staff

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the importance of emotional well-being. Now, the Township of Lyons is investing in an initiative designed to help young men build confidence, resilience and leadership skills before they reach adulthood.

Following the closure of the LeaderShop, a longtime youth leadership organization, township officials began searching for a new program that could fill the gap in youth development services.

“I think part of the township had been kind of looking at youth programming because with the loss of the LeaderShop, there was kind of a hole in services,” said Cathy Pierson, executive director of community outreach and education at the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission. “We had been trying to implement and look for programming that would help young people develop and become productive individuals and community members.”

When township officials learned about Warrior Academy and its mission to teach discipline, respect, leadership and resilience, they saw an opportunity to continue investing in youth development. The academy works to instill these values in young men to empower them to become stronger learners and succeed in their community while making a positive impact.

“When we heard about Warrior Academy, we were excited to see what their goals were and what they were trying to do to help young men become strong individuals,” Pierson said. 

The program follows a structured curriculum centered on topics such as goal setting, routines and resilience. Each week focuses on a different life skill while also allowing room for students to discuss issues affecting their daily lives. 

“There is a curriculum, but they’re also flexible enough to go off topic if there’s something happening that the young men are more concerned about,” Pierson said.

During one session, students discussed worries surrounding food insecurity and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in nearby areas affecting families instead of the planned lesson, Pierson said.

Since launching, the partnership has expanded from Lyons Township High School and Park Junior High School to include Congress Park Elementary School in Brookfield and Heritage Middle School in Summit. Over 30 students participated at Lyons Township High School during the program’s first year, with participation growing after meetings were moved from after-school hours into the school day. While participation numbers have continued to grow, Pierson believes the program’s success is best reflected in the experiences shared by its students. 

“I feel like numbers are important,” Pierson said, “but the more important part is what the kids are getting out of it.” 

At the program’s end-of-year celebrations, several students spoke about not having positive male role models at home. Warrior Academy’s mentors had become important influences in their lives, as well as being able to find encouragement and trusted mentors, Pierson said.

“One student said it’s like his second family,” Pierson said. 

Administrators have also reported improvements in grades, discipline and leadership among participating students. Some students who had never pursued leadership opportunities before volunteered to mentor incoming freshmen after participating in the program, Pierson said. 

“[The students] talked about being a part of this program [that] really made them more aware that they are in charge of their future,” she said.

During Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Pierson believes initiatives like Warrior Academy help challenge long-standing expectations placed on boys and young men. 

“For ages, boys have been kind of taught that they need to suck it up,” she said. “I think we need more programs for men and boys to help them develop those skills, those coping skills, resiliency skills to be able to manage life when things don’t go the way they want them to.” 

Looking ahead, the township hopes to continue expanding Warrior Academy into more schools throughout its service area, including Argo Community High School. Rather than hoping residents simply remember the partnership, Pierson said she hopes they see its effects for years to come.

“I hope the community experiences the changes that are taking place now,” she said. “For when these young men become members of our community that they are now leading and making positive differences in our community.”