Youth Guidance Dallas

YOUTH GUIDANCE IN DALLAS

History/Background

Youth Guidance Dallas launched BAM and WOW programs within the Dallas Independent School District during the 2021-22 school year touching the lives of over 650 students and families.

These programs were chosen through a rigorous selection process led by Dallas ISD and Mayor Eric Johnson’s Task Force on Safe Communities, which sought evidence-based social-emotional learning programs for schools to help prevent and address violent crime in Dallas communities.

Seed funding to support BAM and WOW’s launch in Dallas ISD was generously provided by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.

Becoming A Man® program (BAM®) is a school-based group counseling program that guides young men in 7-12th grades to learn, internalize and practice social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future and become positive members of their school and community.

BAM integrates clinical theory and practice, men’s rites of passage work, and a dynamic approach to youth engagement.

Working On Womanhood (WOW) is a multifaceted, school year-long group counseling and clinical mentoring program.

WOW works to improve social-emotional competencies for girls in 7th-12th grade exposed to traumatic stressors in high risk and under-resourced communities.

Using a trauma-Informed approach, WOW targets young women with significant risk factors for dropout or delinquency such as: teenage pregnancy, trauma, drug or alcohol abuse, self-harm, gang involvement, fighting, academic failure and discipline referrals.

BAM PROGRAM IMPACT

Students enrolled in the BAM Program are:

50%

less likely to be
arrested for violent crime

25%

more engaged
in school

19%

more likely to graduate
high school on time

$ 30

in societal gains for
every $1 invested in BAM

WOW PROGRAM IMPACT

62%

of WOW students
experienced fewer
PTSD symptoms*

71%

of WOW students
experienced fewer
depression symptoms*

*of those starting in the clinical range

96%

of WOW students reported
that the program has helped them
make better decisions for themselves

DALLAS

BAM and WOW will operate in nine Dallas ISD schools during the 2022-23 school year, including: David W. Carter High School, North Dallas High School, LG Pinkston High School, W.W. Samuell High School, Skyline High School, South Oak Cliff High School, Franklin D Roosevelt High School, Justin F. Kimball High School, and Lincoln High School.

By increasing access to critical mental and behavioral health services, BAM and WOW equips students with the confidence and skills they need to thrive personally and academically- and to continually promote safe and healthy communities.

MEET OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michael Berry

Executive Director | Dallas

Michael Berry, a proud Dallas native, comes to Youth Guidance with over 15 years of youth development and community building experience. Michael is a proud DISD alum and is excited about pursuing the work of building programs to positively impact the district that has so richly given to him.

Michael has worked in a variety of roles in supporting youth and communities--locally and nationally. Most recently, he served as the National Manager of Talent and Recruitment for the nation's largest site-based after-school program for middle-school aged youth, After-School All-Stars. He strategically created recruitment and retention strategies aimed at bolstering the pipeline of educators resulting in record-setting retention of staff from Harlem to Honolulu.

Michael received his B.A. in Psychology and minor in Spanish from the University of North Texas. He continues to build community and continues to serve either through site-based decision making committees to his efforts as a alum of Leadership ISD.

Michael is a proud husband to Janay Berry and proud father to his 3 year old daughter: Harper Berry and 7 year old son, Jaxon Berry.

News/Media

Dallas ISD Alumni Spotlight: Michael Berry

WFAA | Dallas neighbors discuss strategies to help curb gun violence near schools

Additional Information

BAM Program Fact Sheet

WOW Program Fact Sheet

Social Media

DALLAS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Youth Guidance’s advisory councils are composed of individuals who are committed to helping students and program participants in their communities. Each council member has a strong desire be actively involved in solving the issues these youth face. Each devotes time, talent and expertise to the current and future work of our local programs.

YOUTH GUIDANCE IN DALLAS

BAM PROGRAM IMPACT

Students enrolled in the BAM Program are:

WOW PROGRAM IMPACT

DALLAS