25 Years of Volunteerism & Community Service · 2002–2027
CORCOMMUNITY
Youth COR members and instructors leading the 300 Men March down a Baltimore avenue
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Summer 2027 · Young men ages 16–21

Youth COR

Courage · Opportunity · Responsibility

A leadership and fitness program for young men from neighborhoods challenged by crime and violence: a path to discipline, leadership and peace.

Refer a Young Man Volunteer as a Mentor
16–21
Ages
20 wks
Basic training
60 hrs
Of instruction
10
Students per class
Thu
6–9 pm

Six Outcomes

In 18 years of COR youth programming, we have recorded zero violent incidents among staff or participants.

01

Self-Discipline

Inner control over impulses and choices.

02

Structure

Thriving in predictable, rule-governed settings.

03

Health

Strength, endurance and mental resilience.

04

Leadership

Taking initiative and influencing peers for good.

05

Positive Peers

Friendships that reinforce healthy decisions.

06

Violence Prevention

Tools to de-escalate conflict and walk away.

What Students Train In

Munir Bahar leading a Youth COR session with young men around a table

COR Leadership Concepts

Ten principles of leadership, taught through role-play, scenarios, peer feedback and reflective writing.

COR members doing inverted rows on a bar in the PowerCOR gym

Strength & Conditioning

Bodyweight and endurance training that builds strength, stamina and the mental toughness to keep going.

Youth COR members in 300 Men March shirts gathering before a march

Community Engagement

Students serve alongside COR volunteers at marches, outreach walks and neighborhood events, leading by example in their own communities.

The Curriculum

Ten Leadership Concepts

  1. 01Lead by example
  2. 02Establish priorities
  3. 03Accept responsibility
  4. 04Develop procedures
  5. 05Exercise good judgment
  6. 06Remain calm
  7. 07Sacrifice when necessary
  8. 08Help those in need
  9. 09Integrate others' strengths
  10. 10Position yourself to win

The Road In

  1. 1

    Open House

    Information session for candidates and families.

  2. 2

    Interviews

    Separate conversations with the young man and his guardians.

  3. 3

    Orientation

    Preparing for the physical and mental challenge ahead.

  4. 4

    Performance Test

    A 3-hour, 10-drill test of stamina, effort and attitude.

  5. 5

    Acceptance

    Final briefing with families before training begins.

A boy holding a We Must Stop Killing Each Other sign while marching with Youth COR Youth COR class and instructors in Youth 300 COR shirts Young men in COR shirts walking together on a track Youth COR members marching on North Avenue

Know a young man
ready to rise?

Parents, teachers, coaches and the young men themselves can start here. Classes are small, so spaces are limited.

Refer a Young Man