News
Brothers In Arms Reflects on a Year of Growth, Healing & Community — and Looks Ahead
Dec
As 2025 comes to a close, Brothers In Arms Men’s Support Circle is not just looking back. We are building forward. This year marked a powerful transformation in our journey as a volunteer-based nonprofit committed to the healing, empowerment and wellness of men, especially men of color, throughout the Merrimack Valley and beyond.
From statewide recognition to expanded programs and deeper community engagement, 2025 was a milestone year. And this is only the beginning.
In this article, you’ll learn about:
- How Brothers In Arms grew its impact in 2025
- The significance of reaching over 1,000 men through programs & events
- Launch of new initiatives like the Fatherhood Relief Fund
- Highlights from healing retreats and community events
- Statewide recognition from public officials
- The vision for what’s next in 2026 and how you can get involved
- Link to read the full press feature on our transformational year
Celebrating Our First Full Year as a 501(c)(3)
We officially celebrated our first full year as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In just two months of holding our tax-exempt status, we raised over $260,000 through grants, multiyear pledges and community donations. This incredible milestone shows the deep trust our supporters have placed in us and affirms the urgent need for spaces where men can show up as their full selves and begin their healing journey.
The growth is not just financial. It is personal, emotional and collective.
More Than 1,000 Lives Touched Through Circles, Programs, and Events
This year, more than 1,000 men participated in our peer-led restorative circles, healing programs and public events across Lawrence, Lynn and the Greater Haverhill area. Our new home at Northern Essex Community College allows us to serve even more men looking for connection and support.
Our circles are designed to be safe spaces for reflection, vulnerability and accountability. They allow men to break cycles of silence and isolation while redefining what it means to be strong. Every voice is honored, every story matters and every healing journey is welcome.
Launching New Programs for Fathers, Youth and Creative Healing
In 2025, we launched the Fatherhood Relief Fund to help fathers facing crisis, disconnection or hardship. With an initial seed of $5,000, this fund strengthens families by supporting the men at the center of them.
We also hosted two deeply impactful healing retreats, including one at MASS MoCA with a focus on creativity, self-expression and emotional transformation. These retreats create space for men to reconnect with themselves through storytelling, movement and reflection.
Our second annual Juneteenth Arts and Awareness Festival welcomed over 1,000 community members for a day of culture, healing and celebration. These events bring our mission into the public square and show what community-led healing really looks like.
Statewide Recognition and Continued Community Momentum
We were honored to be recognized by Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio for our leadership and impact. Recognition like this reminds us that while our work is local and deeply personal, its meaning reaches far beyond our circles.
It also reminds us that this work matters. And it must continue.
Where We Go From Here
As we look ahead to 2026, our commitment is clear. More circles. More outreach. More opportunities for men of color to lead, heal and grow in community. We envision a future where no man has to walk his journey alone and where asking for help is seen as strength, not weakness.
We believe this is not a moment. This is a movement.
A movement for healing. A movement for redefining masculinity. A movement for building a future rooted in trust, compassion and shared humanity.
Read the Full Feature and Get Involved
We are proud to have been featured in Merrimack Valley Life for the transformational year we have had. The article beautifully reflects our mission, our growth and the lives we continue to touch.
Read the full article here:
Whether you are a donor, a volunteer or someone who believes in the power of healing in community, we invite you to be part of what’s next.
Together, we are building something lasting. Something real. And it starts with showing up.
