Vision

We live in a time of upheaval and transformation, in which people all over the world are defining, questioning, and redefining their sense of identity - national, ethnic, racial, religious/spiritual, political, familial, sexual, and personal. Some of this change is occurring at the cost of great suffering. Many people are also freeing themselves from old tyrannies ranging from repressive governments to oppressive stereotypes, prejudices and social institutions.

The shift in thinking, feeling, and behavior experienced by a growing number of men is one expression of this widespread metamorphosis. Men no longer need to feel confined by definitions of maleness that value domination and violence, nor need they feel threatened by women's struggle for equality. We can embrace both nonviolence and liberation as we define ourselves in ways that allow our full development as human beings.

The Men's Resource Center for Change is committed to helping bring about a more just and peaceful world by redefining masculinity to exclude violence and embrace trust and compassion. We envision a safe and violence-free world in which:

• Men and women are equally nurturing and equally empowered;
• People of all gender identities and all ethnicities feel safe and accepted;
• Human rights for all peoples, including freedom from violence and abuse, are protected;
• Egalitarian, nonviolent families and relationships are supported in all their diverse forms;
• All individuals can peacefully reach their full human potential; and
• All people share a respect and sensitivity for the earth and all beings.

Organization

Since its inception in 1982, the MRC has systematically grown from a small grass-roots network of men into a comprehensive well-respected men's center serving communities throughout the region.

Our philosophy of "supporting men and challenging violence" gives us a broad capacity for reaching men. Anti-violence programs are more effective when the men feel accepted as men at the same time that their violent or abusive behavior is rejected. Support programs are more effective when men receive a sympathetic hearing of their own concerns but also know that violence, abuse, and blaming are not acceptable. Boys and young men respond to education programs presented by men who are living proof that a positive masculinity is possible.

In addition to the important community resources we provide to others, we continue to explore organizational structures and processes that reflect our vision for personal and social transformation. We recognize our need to be caring for ourselves and for each other, and we are learning how to express these needs honestly and responsibly. We know that developing caring, cooperative, and powerful ways of being together as men, and as men and women, is in itself one of the most important goals we can achieve. We value the process of building consensus as a practice of honoring the diversity of our individual experience, and of faith in how our shared voices can lead us to deeper truth and understanding.

Developing men's leadership as educators, group leaders, mentors, and role models has been a key goal of the Men's Resource Center for Change. We now have more than 20 full- and part-time staff and consultants and an active community-based board overseeing our programs and services. A corps of more than 25 volunteers augment the paid staff with office support, facilitation of men's groups, and assisting with special events. Staff and volunteers have used the leadership skills developed at the MRC to organize men's programs in other parts of the country and the world.

In 1998, after having twice moved to larger office facilities, the MRC purchased a building to house its expanded staff and programs. Its meeting spaces now accommodate Moving Forward domestic violence and anger management groups, partner support groups, men's support groups, youth group meetings, and numerous other special events and meetings. Its office space also provides work and meeting space for staff using a networked computer system to share and manage the large amount of data and written materials handled by the organization.