ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Last Spring, Senior Recreation Specialist Jessica Privitera helped facilitate a men’s conference that has now grown into a men’s group at Thomas P. Ryan R-center called "Men of Impact." It focuses on building community, mentorship, and sharing thoughts and feelings. Recreation Specialist Jamere Dillard said their trying to help young men academically and emotionally.   “Some of our youth, they have different goals. So I feel like we’re going in the right direction here. Whatever they desire, whatever they want to do, we have the men that can help them out, and just be there. Just be their listening tool and we just attack their goals so they can reach their goals,” Dillard said. Men of all ages can attend the group. Dillard said that the mentors that attend talk to the young men about different paths they can take in life. They talk about real estate, generational wealth, etc. Senior Recreation Specialist Jessica Privitera said that the mentors have worked hard to give workshops in different backgrounds, like trades for example, and let mentor about various life opportunities. Privitera has enjoyed watching the group grow to what it is today. “Even watching those things from the back of the room. Just to see those things kind of blossom. They’ve really created something just so beautiful and something so much more meaningful than I could have ever imagined,” Privitera said. Senior Recreation Assistant Wagner Jean-Baptiste said that they’re also trying to help the young men spiritually and emotionally as much as they can. “Honestly, I needed this when I was younger,” Jean-Baptiste said. One of the young men that attend Men of Impact is 17 year-old James Shell. After attending a few times, he started getting comfortable and feels like it’s a fun and safe environment. “It’s a good place to be at, a place to let yourself be at, or just let yourself go. And just listen to others, and learn experiences from them,” Shell said. The ADAA said, “Other reasons that may impact a man’s mental health journey are culture, fatherhood, race, and socioeconomic status. These stigmas are real and deeply affect men as nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety but less than half will receive treatment and more than 4 times as many men as women die by suicide every year.” Privitera said that having open dialogue in the room is something she’s been told is very therapeutic from those that attend. “As they were talking, a lot of them were saying ‘Were just so grateful and so thankful to be able to have this space because so many times men are brought up to where they can’t express their emotions,” Privitera said. The "Men of Impact" group meets every Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. through November 26 and resumes January 7, 2025 through the rest of winter and spring.