Constituencies

The MRC serves as a place for men who are interested in examining the role of masculinity and sexism in their lives to meet and share their ideas and ideals for building a better, more humane world. We recognize that both masculinity and sexism have different cultural manifestations, and seek to reach across barriers that have typically divided men, such as race, sexual orientation, class, religion, and age, and physical, emotional, and intellectual ability by recognizing and valuing men's diverse experiences and perspectives. Over the years since we began in 1982, we have developed men's groups for men of color, Jewish men, and men stigmatized by the mental health system, and created a forum between white men and men of color to discuss differences and commonalties. We pioneered drop-in support groups for men who are survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. We also work closely with women and women's groups as allies confronting violence and sexism.

The success and effectiveness of Men's Resource Center programs and activities is enhanced by the geographical expansion we have experienced over the past several years. Originally serving the local community, we are now directly reaching young and adult men throughout western Massachusetts. In 1998 the MRC extended its services into Springfield, the third-largest city in the state, establishing a satellite office there. Our workshops have been presented at national conferences and throughout the United States and Japan, and we have been instrumental in helping men organize anti-sexist men's groups at college campuses throughout the Northeast. We regularly provide resource-and-referral services to individuals and groups across the country and around the world.

As word of the MRC model has spread, we have been sought out by men and men's organizations from around the country and around the world. Specifically, we have provided resources and consultation to men from Minnesota, North Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Mexico, Washington State, Japan, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, and Canada. With the help of our leadership training in Taos, New Mexico the independent Men's Resource Center of Northern New Mexico is now a thriving men's center modeled after the MRC of Western Massachusetts. The more recently established Monadnock Men's Resource Center in Keene, New Hampshire also has used our organization as a model. Ten thousand copies of our magazine, Voice Male, are distributed throughout our region and mailed to people throughout North America and overseas.