By Jennifer L. Barton
August 28, 2026
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Young men today face unprecedented challenges and have been struggling to find their place in an increasingly loud, noise-filled world. One local non-profit has developed a practical mentoring and networking program to help keep them a part of the winning team.
Student ACES, a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered out of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has helped over 50,000 student-athletes since inception in 2013 and currently reaches more than 1,000 students across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties. By teaching student-athletes essential life skills including leadership, having a winning attitude, and the importance of and commitment to effective team work, Student ACES has made a big impact by uplifting young men and women through their high school journeys and preparing them for higher education and beyond.
But for many, graduation marks the end of childhood and, ready or not, thrusts them onto the stage of adult responsibility. Unlike young women who are more likely to prioritize face-to-face interactions and in-person social networks, young men rely heavily on their external routines to build connections. Once the structure of high school disappears, young men risk a complete collapse of their social circles, which can lead to profound emotional isolation, long-term civic disengagement, and a breakdown of personal ethical standards.
While it’s all too easy to see cultural influences that can lead people away from honorable choices today, finding resources to fill the gaps is increasingly difficult. As our society continues to lose valuable third space areas that supported prior generations— like libraries, community and youth centers, parks and recreation sports leagues—the loneliness epidemic rages on, and young men between the ages of 18 to 25 are most likely to suffer. The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) reported in the 2023 American Time Use Survey (ATUS) that young men leaving high school go from about 120 minutes of social interaction a day down to 30-40 minutes post-graduation—a 70% reduction. Without the structure and support, many young men who are simply looking for community and a place to belong totally shut down and retreat into acute isolation instead.
Once young men cut back on face-to-face social interactions, other problems become evident, too. Isolated young men are more prone to extremism, misogyny, and radical thought, and become vulnerable to predatory exploitation common with “get rich quick” schemes. Self-medication and substance abuse often also follow, which can result in an increased chance of impulsive decision-making that could lead to criminal outcomes. Once someone starts hanging out with the wrong crowd, antisocial patterns of behavior become more pronounced.
“Our sons need authentic examples of how to live a life of principle, and that’s why we began our Men of Honor series,” said Buck Martinez, chairman and co-founder of Student ACES. “It’s one thing to tell them to live with integrity, but the real challenge is showing them by walking the walk ourselves. A man with integrity has nothing to hide and when community leaders model the right behavior, we set a standard that helps mold our young men into responsible contributors.”
The Men of Honor series, made possible by generous support from The Lowell S & Betty L Dunn Family Foundation and Kitson & Partners, brings together respected local leaders, Student ACES alumni, and other individuals four times a year for workshop sessions where participants tackle some of the real-world questions young men have about living life today. By sharing personal experiences, talking honestly about hard-learned and hard-earned lessons, speakers focus on sharing practical advice to help young men establish the core principles that support a life of honorable purpose and impact.
“Young men are desperate to prove themselves at this age,” Martinez offered. “But without the right guidance, they struggle to live in reality when they’re watching influencers and celebrities pushing materialistic agendas tied to luxury status items that few can ever realistically afford. This can be extremely challenging,” Martinez continued, “especially when our young men are also trying to find and impress potential life partners.”
In an effort to provide a safe space for young men to be vulnerable, sessions have been attended exclusively by men, but during the summer session, Student ACES changed up the format for a panel discussion with women from the Student ACES executive team and staff. The goal? To get real-life answers from women about how they interact with, receive, raise, and support young men today.
“Our boys are under fire in a cultural and social sense,” said Krissy Webb, Executive Director and Co-founder of Student ACES, and mother of twin girls in high school. “We need to give them the tools and strategies to succeed, not just for them, but for the safety of our young women as well.”
The panelists for the most recent session were all women: some raising sons, some raising daughters, some raising both, some without children at all. The women answered a variety of questions, including how they instill values in their children, how they manage social media consumption with their kids, and what their expectations of young men are today. When people are 18-25, they’re taking their first major footsteps into the professional world, where employers are looking for reliable, consistent performance from their new hires.
“Speaking as someone who is heavily involved in hiring decisions and helping to choose the right cultural fit for a large corporation every day, I see how much young men thrive when they have adults who actually show up for them,” said Melissa Miller, Director of HR Operations at Florida Power and Light (FPL). “Guidance isn’t optional. It’s foundational, and potential job candidates who have been mentored, by and large, have a head start and generally make a better impression on hiring managers.”
From a personal perspective, the mental health of a young man doesn’t just affect him. It can also affect everyone he interacts with.
“As a mother, I worry about how my daughters will be treated by the world, and that includes the young men they choose as friends and partners,” said Webb. “Teaching my girls how to respect themselves also means showing them clearly what behavior to accept from boys and what they absolutely need to avoid.”
Tracie Tessier, Vice President of Global Enterprise Services and Financial Planning at CEMEX, Student ACES Board Member, and mother of one son and one daughter, agreed. “As a mom of both a son and a daughter, I want my kids surrounded by men who lead with integrity. Programs like this set the standard.”
Jamie Levin, Principal of JLevin Communications, Student ACES Board Member and mother of two boys herself, echoed her sentiments. “Integrity is so important and quite honestly, it’s a challenge. No one can control everything, but I can guide my sons – and that means instilling strong and consistent values to help them find their way.”
Katy Chrisman, an Implementation Manager at Verizon and high school soccer coach raising two daughters and a son added, “My son is watching the world closely, and he needs adults who model steadiness and empathy. Of course he sees the world from his own perspective, but he also sees how his sisters are impacted by the young men they encounter. That’s how we shape healthier communities and empower our sons.”
One of the hot topics was dating, especially questions about what women find attractive and why. Tajelia “Peaches” Green, Student ACES alumni and manager for the Passport Program at the Student ACES Center (the SAC) in Belle Glade, Florida, is still dating and does not yet have children of her own. “I’m going to be real. If a man asks me to spend time with him and he comes to pick me up and his car is a complete mess, you can count me out. If you can’t take the time to respect yourself and your own belongings, then how are you going to have it in you to respect me and treat me right?”
When young men are given the right tools, direction, and mentorship, they can build strength based on their own character. For young men, it starts with owning their actions, honoring their commitments, and standing by their word. “Guiding my boys means creating a safe space for them to make mistakes, too,” said Levin. “No one is perfect and when they stumble, teaching them to be accountable for their actions is so important. It’s not always easy but giving them the opportunity to learn and adapt creates real resilience over time. It’s truly gratifying to watch my sons growing into young men of honor.”
The Men of Honor series is hosted every three months and sessions cover:
- The legacy of being an honorable man and what it takes to be one.
- Navigating chaos and maintaining balance for a well-rounded life.
- Understanding how honorable men are recognized by society, in relationships and in the workplace.
- Learning how respect is earned through personal conduct, consistent effort, and taking accountability.
The sessions are open to the community and a donation to Student ACES is required to attend. For more information about Student ACES or this alumni outreach program, contact krissy@studentACES.org.
