The Birth of a Man-Child
– © 2001 by Hank Bruns

The year was 1976 that this Man-Child was born. 1976 was a good year. A vintage year. A year for which we all can be very thankful. Nine young men gathered their collective wits into a plan that has borne more healthful fruits than anyone had imagined. Now, 25 years later, we can all feast at its still-growing branches and celebrate the event with great joy.

The Men's Center was born, but not without some serious labor pains. Yet the birth was a rather quiet event with a humble beginning. The family purse was meager. The parents were justly proud, yet not boastful. The home was small, yet adequate for the family: a single room in a former convent, when I first met them. Even today the purse is on the meager side of moderate, 'though healthy enough to sustain itself through the active participation of a growing family tree. The functioning word is--volunteers.

In October 2001 we celebrate the founding of The Men's Center and honor its founders and other members of the first Board of Directors. On October 21,1976 the articles of incorporation for a non-profit corporation were signed, an outgrowth of a collective of men who had a vision to strengthen a true understanding of human rights, equality, non-violence and respect. The mission statement--" to provide resources for men seeking to grow in body, mind and spirit; and from that foundation to advocate for healthier family and community relationships"--is not, and has never been, viewed lightly.

This month we honor The Men's Center founders -- Lance Egley, Paul Endres, James Fitzgerald and Steve Smith -- along with additional members of the first board of directors, Scott Bartell, Ray Makeever, James Olson, Leslie Montgomery and William Cox.

They will be honored at a ceremony and open house on Sunday, October 21, 2001, during the upcoming "Men's Health and Well-Being Symposium" of October 20-21. This Symposium is intended to be a significant salute to our founders, and also an expression of our sincere gratitude for the presence of The Men's Center in our lives.

The Men's Center has always been a quiet, respectful organization (in much the same manner as its birth) in the promotion of our mission. We are not subsidized by any city, county, state or national government entity. On infrequent occasions we may receive a modest grant from a philanthropic foundation or a business. Our staff and board are mainly volunteers. Our main support is our membership and the free-will donations from drop-in support group attendees.

Our work is constant, and growing. When I first joined The Men's Center in 1979, there was one drop-in support group held every Thursday evening. That has grown to the point where we now sport groups almost every evening of the week, and also during the day. On some evenings we may have as many as three or four groups being held simultaneously, many of which may have a special focus --general issues, gay issues, survivors of emotional abuse, male survivors of sexual abuse, to name just a few. Some of these daily activities may include classes in anger management, "Men Helping Men With Anger," our latest endeavor of twelve two-hour classes held on consecutive weeks, which have been very successfully operated for the past four years

Every Wednesday evening we have a workshop/presentation on subjects of interest to men, or to men and women, hosted by a local expert in his/her field.

No longer a child, this man, but a fully mature citizen of the community, and the community can feel a great sense of pride in his presence here. The Men's Center could not have become the significant entity it is without the wisdom and foresight of nine ambitious men, 25 years ago. We members, the present board of directors and attendees at daily activities do express a huge "Thank You" to the founding fathers, for your wisdom and foresight in providing The Men's Center for us all.

The lives of many have been improved by your gift to us. Thank You. We will remember you always.

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A Chronology of the Twin Cities Men Center
– © 2001 by by Andy Mickel

1967-1972: various consciousness-raising (CR) groups forms as an outgrowth of the cultural revolution.
1973: Men's Awareness Network (M.A.N.) formed by U of M graduate students and therapists at Lutheran Student Center as a response to the women's movement. Men begin meeting in CR groups.
1975: "Drop-in" support groups begin.
1976: The Men's Center is established as a 501(c)3 non-profit, Twin Cities social service agency.
1977: Men Talk appears as a monthly newsletter. Center moves to 2448 18th Ave S. Center and receives $4,000 grant from Bremer Foundation. General issues and Gay issues support groups formed.
1978: Membership approaches 250. First logo adopted. Center forms first Twin Cities Consortium to work with Battering Men: Men in Violent Relationships (MIVR) groups. Center organizes 1st Midwest Regional Men's Conference.
1979: Men's Center publishes large-format, 200-page Men's Survival Resource Book.
1980: Center organizes 2nd Midwest Regional Men's Conference.
1981: Center recovers from 1st default in leadership. Center moves to 2222 Park Ave S. Center receives $7,000 grant from Minneapolis Foundation.
1982: Center receives $2,500 General Mills grant.
1983: Center moves to Sabathani Center on E 38th St. Center organizes 4th Midwest Regional Men's Conference, then withdraws support. Membership: 217.
1984: Center moves to Minnesota Church Center. Center raises $9,500 in grants from Medtronic and other foundations.
1985: Center recovers from 2nd default in leadership. Center organizes first support groups in Twin Cities for HIV-positive people. Center organizes 6th Midwest Regional Men's Conference. Membership at new low: 59. Center moves to current location at 3249 Hennepin Ave.
1986: Membership: 109. 10th anniversary issue of newsletter published. Library begun. Resource Directory updated. Men's/Women's support groups established.
1987: Center organizes 7th Midwest Regional Men's Conference. Newsletter, renamed Men Talk.
1988: Membership: 472. Center hosts Earnie Larsen and Robert Bly in days for men. Four different support groups.
1989: Center organizes Judy Chicago's Birth Project event. Center organizes 9th Midwest Regional Men's Conference. Center receives $5,000 grant from 3M.
1990: Center forms first fathers/sons support groups. Center hosts 1st Wingspan Men's Leadership Conference. Membership: 690.
1991: Center buys first office computer, raises $10,000 in capital campaign.
1992: Center organizes 10th Midwest Regional Men's Conference. Membership: 358.
1993: Center receives $5,000 grant from 3M. 1994: Membership: 286. Center forms first support groups for sexual-abuse survivors.
1995: Center recovers from 3rd default in leadership.
1996: Website at www.tcmc.org established.
1997: Men Helping Men with Anger Workshops begun. Membership: 210.
1998: Center receives $5,000 grant from Dayton-Hudson. "20-something" GLBT and Bi-sexual support groups begun.
1999: Center receives $5,000 grant from Star-Tribune. Anger Management support groups begun.
2000: Membership: 198. Eight different support groups.
2001: Membership: 328. Center organizes Men's Health and Well-Being Symposium.