The Men's Resource Center, Men's Resources International and Healthy Men and Boys Network are merging into a single unified organization!

Since the Healthy Men and Boys (HMB) Network was launched as an initiative of the Men's Resource Center (MRC) at a summit in June 2014, it has attracted a range of partners and supporters from around the region and beyond to promote gender equality and work to prevent gender-based violence. A highlight of our activities has been organizing four training events in partnership with Men's Resources International (MRI).

Now, the close relationship between the Men's Resource Center, founded in 1982, and Men's Resources International, founded in 2005, is growing closer. The two groups are merging into a single, unified organization.

The Healthy Men and Boys Network has been the single, major catalyst for the merger. Following the Network's year long visioning process - and last June's second summit - the Network leadership team, and the boards of directors of both MRC and MRI have agreed to officially merge by the end of 2015. To better understand the mission and work of the unified organization, take a look at the Theory of Change map on the Network website, available here.

The merger is historic. Both organizations have for decades been on the forefront - locally, nationally and internationally - of male engagement efforts focused on both achieving gender equality and eliminating gender-based violence.

The emerging organization will be well positioned to continue to serve as a leader in the growing global movement to engage boys and men in working for gender justice and prevent violence.

In the coming months, plans include:

  • Installing a new board of directors
  • Creating a new organizational name and website
  • Upgrading organizational systems
  • Advancing the program agenda outlined in the Theory of Change map (cited above)
  • Launching a major fundraising campaign
  • Engaging supporters in all of the above

Visit www.hmbnetwork.org for the most recent updates on the merger process. To learn more about the global movement, read this article from Network partner Voice Male magazine (a publication born at the MRC), available here.