Join us in Nevada City for our next...
Rooted Futures Mentorship Training
PREPARING MEN TO SHOW UP SKILLFULLY WITH PRESENCE, WARMTH AND INSIGHT.
Many young men today are growing up in a world of profound loneliness, disconnection, and confusion about what it means to become a good man.
And yet, when met with respect, compassion, and curiosity, they will step into their empowered, brilliant and expressive selves...
Join us for a 5-hour experiential training to learn the skills necessary to support them in becoming the men the world needs right now.
Date: Tuesday, July 14th
Location: Nevada City, CA
Time: 10am-3pm PST
Cost: Sliding Scale $99-$149
Meet Jerry Riverstone - Mentor and Trainer
Training Team
Trevor Spring
Brett Fleisher
Jerry Riverstone
What we'll explore:
• What boys and young men truly need to thrive
• The art of listening, asking meaningful questions, and reflective mirroring
• How to cultivate trust, confidence, self-awareness, and belonging
• Understanding adolescent development and the inner world of boys
• Creating spaces where youth feel safe to be authentic and emotionally real
You'll learn a simple yet practical mentoring framework, coupled with breakout discussions and real-time practice sessions designed to help you embody these skills - not just understand them intellectually.
For those who are interested, the training is also an invitation into the Rooted Futures community: a circle of courageous, heart-centered men committed to showing up for the next generation. Through meaningful intergenerational work we are redefining “men’s work” to include the practice of tending the future.
While the training is required to get started on the path of becoming a mentor with Rooted Futures, the teachings will also be highly valuable for dads and grandparents, coaches, teachers, or camp counselors, etc.
And the training is not only about mentoring youth. The relational skills we’ll cover can also deeply strengthen friendships, parenting, leadership, partnership, communication, and emotional presence in every area of life.
Day Schedule (Pacific Time)
8am: Arrival, Welcome, Agreements
8:30am: Breath and Movment Practices
9:00am: Check-ins and Introductions
9:30am: The Basic Framework: LAMP / FRAP
10:00am: Skills practice
10:45am: Debrief and Overview - Applying it to Real LIfe
11:00am: Understanding Themes and Topics Relevant to Young Men Today
11:30am: Q&A
11:45am: Closing and Next Steps
Is this for male mentors only?
Yes, if you are male identifying you are welcome to attend.
Can I be a mentor with Rooted Futures immediately after taking the training?
No, you will need to pass a background check before being able to attend our calls or in-person events. Once you do so, you will be invited to join us as a volunteer mentor.
Do I need to be background checked through your organization?
No, as you long as you have been background checked within the last year you can send us the results.
Do I need to attend the whole training?
Yes, to complete the training we require your presence and attention for the entirety of the 4 hour time block.
If I have previously attended the Sonz Youth training do I need to attend this one to be qualified as a mentor?
Yes, We want everyone to refresh on our new organization, our principles, and values.
If I don’t plan to mentor with Rooted Futures, can I attend this training, will it be valuable?
Yes, you will learn our framework and skills that an be applied to any educational and social, relational environment.
What if I can’t afford it?
The pricing is sliding scale. Reach out to us directly if finances are a limitation for you and we will discuss. We can also provide payment plan options if necessary.
Core Tenets Of Our Pathmaker Program
Nature Connection
We believe in immersing youth in the natural living world as a way to reconnect to their own inner nature
Life Mapping
We provide young men with the tools required to claim their own usefulness and purpose in the world
Real Talk
We create spaces virtually and physically where young men can be felt, seen and heard in their wholeness
Principles of Mentoring
At Rooted Futures all of our mentors are trained in this simple formula...
We "LAMP"
Listen
Ask/Acknowledge
Model
Praise
We Do Not "FRAP"
Fix
Rescue
Advise
Project
We listen without judgment, analysis, or critique and give the young men space to express themselves fully.
We are curious and accept them as they are. We lead with questions and reflect their own wisdom back to them.
We raise our own standards and model behaviors we hope they will adopt.
We identify their strengths, even if they’re subtle, and praise them openly.
Who We Are
We are a team of men from diverse backgrounds who are committed to showing up for our communities.
We're passionate about learning and creating together and value the mentorship of young men as a shared mission in the world.
What Our Community Is Saying...
I thought that this program would be lame and didn’t want to do it when my mom made me. But now (week 3) I think it’s pretty cool, I want to keep coming back and I’m getting a lot out of it. - Josiah, 15
After each of the experiences (my son) has had, he really seems to feel more aligned, and able to communicate that to me… I think it has been really encouraging for him.
I feel that in working with youth like this, I meet with a younger part of myself, and it’s this beautiful meeting of the older men becoming younger, and the younger men becoming older. It’s such a rare space to be in and that’s what I keep coming back for.
