Youth Program on Healthy Masculinity and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention hosted by BCPA

BARRINGTON, RI – The Barrington Community Progress Association (BCPA) will host "Healthy Masculinity, Healthy Community," a participatory program designed to empower teens to prevent intimate partner violence, on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 5:50 PM at the Barrington Public Library.

The free program, funded by a grant from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence's Deborah DeBare Domestic Violence Prevention Fund, will help young people understand how societal expectations around masculinity impact safety and relationships, while providing them with tools to intervene when masculinity becomes toxic.

"This program is about giving young people the knowledge and confidence to create positive change in their communities," said Jacob Brier, organizer with BCPA. "By exploring healthy masculinity together, we're empowering teens to build a future free of intimate partner violence."

The two-hour session will feature brief presentations on key concepts, a panel discussion exploring lived experiences related to masculinity, and small group discussions where attendees can share their understanding and develop strategies for creating safer communities.

The program will cover three core topics:

Defining Masculinity: Participants will explore explicit definitions of masculine, feminine, gender, patriarchy, and related terms. The session may include the "Man Box" exercise, followed by panel discussion on lived experiences.

Engaging Peers: The session will acknowledge that program attendees are often not the direct sources of harm, and will empower youth to bring their learning to their peers. Participants will learn tactics to strategically intervene when they witness unhealthy masculinity or other forms of abuse.

Benefits of Healthy Masculinity: The program will ensure young men and boys don't feel blamed or at fault, while featuring inspiring panelists who demonstrate how compassion and sensitivity are integrated with strength in various ways.

Presenters include Lee Clasper-Torch, a retired high school teacher involved in violence prevention, and Sarah Kowal Alden, a clinical therapist with extensive work supporting youth. The panel discussion will feature a group of men, with varied ages and backgrounds, who live in the East Bay and Providence.

The program design was guided by a diverse group of seven teens who helped select panelists and speakers. This Youth Council has actively engaged their peers to attend, leveraging the benefits of teaching-to-learn and building confidence for future interventions within their own networks.

Required registration is available through Saturday, May 9th, at cutt.ly/HMHC. Pizza and snacks will be served. The event will run from 5:50 - 7:45 PM, in the Collis Family Gallery at Barrington Public Library, 281 County Road, Barrington.

About the Barrington Community Progress Association: The Barrington Community Progress Association is a community-based organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement, social justice, and community well-being in Barrington. For more information, visit communityprogressassociation.org.

About the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence: The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is a statewide membership organization committed to the prevention and elimination of domestic violence through advocacy, education, and supportive services. The Deborah DeBare Domestic Violence Prevention Fund supports community-based programs that work to prevent domestic violence before it occurs. For more information, visit ricadv.org.