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What is Mars-Bros?
Mars-Bros is a mentoring program that focuses on setting goals. Mentees set personal goals with their mentors and those
goals are used to empower the mentees throughout the year. Mentors are selected from Grand Rapids area churches and
receive ongoing training and support from the program coordinator.
Where does the name come from?
Mars-Bros was created out of the three boys that Bruce Boman first mentored (Lemarr, Marionte', and Marquan.) Thus
all have "mar" in their name became the "mars-bros."
Brief history
In 1999, a young man named Bruce Boman began building a mentoring relationship with three boys in the core of Grand
Rapids. Since then, Mars-Bros has grown to serve over 60 youth through "Asset Groups" focused on developing skills
and capacities and our one on one mentoring program.
Unique to Mars-Bros, our mentoring focuses on goal setting in three important life areas: spiritual, academics, and
social/community. These goals are nurtured through a combination of the mentoring relationship, fulfilling activities, and
family involvement whenever possible. Mentors in Mars-Bros are encouraged to attend family activities and set up
activities exclusively for parents.
In September of 2004, Mars-Bros joined with Oakdale Neighbors in an effort to reach more children in urban Grand
Rapids. Oakdale Neighbors is a Christian Community Development Organization formed to address the needs of the
urban community. By linking services and connecting people with resources for jobs, homes, transportation, recovery
programs, bible studies, tutoring, worship services, and Christian friends, we can meet the challenge of moving families
beyond crisis to positive, sustainable change.
Click here if you would like to read about recent Mars-Bros news.
Mars-Bros is a mentoring program that focuses on setting goals. Mentees set personal goals with their mentors and those
goals are used to empower the mentees throughout the year. Mentors are selected from Grand Rapids area churches and
receive ongoing training and support from the program coordinator.
Where does the name come from?
Mars-Bros was created out of the three boys that Bruce Boman first mentored (Lemarr, Marionte', and Marquan.) Thus
all have "mar" in their name became the "mars-bros."
Brief history
In 1999, a young man named Bruce Boman began building a mentoring relationship with three boys in the core of Grand
Rapids. Since then, Mars-Bros has grown to serve over 60 youth through "Asset Groups" focused on developing skills
and capacities and our one on one mentoring program.
Unique to Mars-Bros, our mentoring focuses on goal setting in three important life areas: spiritual, academics, and
social/community. These goals are nurtured through a combination of the mentoring relationship, fulfilling activities, and
family involvement whenever possible. Mentors in Mars-Bros are encouraged to attend family activities and set up
activities exclusively for parents.
In September of 2004, Mars-Bros joined with Oakdale Neighbors in an effort to reach more children in urban Grand
Rapids. Oakdale Neighbors is a Christian Community Development Organization formed to address the needs of the
urban community. By linking services and connecting people with resources for jobs, homes, transportation, recovery
programs, bible studies, tutoring, worship services, and Christian friends, we can meet the challenge of moving families
beyond crisis to positive, sustainable change.
Click here if you would like to read about recent Mars-Bros news.
Bruce Boman mentored three boys besides the original Mars-Brothers, one whom is Terry McSwain who is pictured above
from age eight to now. When Terry graduates from high school he plans to either begin working or enlisting in the military.
from age eight to now. When Terry graduates from high school he plans to either begin working or enlisting in the military.
