Give to the Boys

Candidates for Mayhew are 10- or 11- year old New Hampshire boys from single parent, low-income families. In addition, candidates must live in a town that Mayhew serves to be considered for enrollment. See the list of Towns Served below for more information. (If you’re considering referring a boy who does not match these criteria, please first consult with Grayson Richey, Mayhew’s Program Director, at 603-254-3909.)

Boys are referred to Mayhew for many different reasons. Some boys have demonstrated questionable behaviors at home and at school that make them at-risk for more serious problems in the future and could benefit from some redirection. Other boys simply lack opportunities to participate in the sorts of activities that Mayhew offers. Still other boys are referred to Mayhew simply because they can benefit from the boost in self-esteem that Mayhew often provides. Mayhew accepts referrals from principals, teachers, counselors, social workers, and other youth officials from many areas throughout New Hampshire from mid-January to mid-March each year.

First, it is important that you speak with the family of any candidate you’re considering referring to obtain permission to submit an application. On the other hand, we encourage you (and by extension, the family) not to disclose anything to the boy himself initially. Mayhew receives many referrals each spring and we inevitably have to turn away some very appropriate and deserving candidates due to limited openings. We don’t want a boy to get excited about the opportunity to participate before there’s a clear signal from Mayhew that there’s a good chance he might be enrolled. In terms of information about the program, please refer any prospective families to this website. In addition, you may download and print our Prospective Family FAQ.

The selection process for choosing which boys to invite to Mayhew begins in April. We review all of the referrals, weighing both objective factors like family income, family make-up, candidate age as well as subjective factors like apparent need and ability to benefit from the program. We then meet with the best prospects and their families to explain the program and to make a final assessment of each boy’s appropriateness and readiness for the challenge. Invariably, boys and families see Mayhew as a chance that may seem too good to be true. We try hard to undersell the program and emphasize at each step the serious commitment the boy and family must make. During this meeting, the boy is asked to sign a contract agreeing to participate fully in everything at Mayhew, to work hard, to always strive to be respectful, and to abide by a high standard of behavior should he be invited to participate. Final selections for the program are made by early June. We like to think that everyone could benefit from involvement in the Mayhew Program. The tough task for us as a Program is deciding which boys—among the many referred—might benefit most from their involvement with the program.

Yes. Unfortunately Mayhew does not have the resources to work with boys who have a history of acting-out sexually or with boys who have a history of extremely aggressive or dangerous behaviors. In addition, certain health or medical conditions may preclude a boy from participating. (If you have any doubts about the appropriateness of a potential candidate, please first call and speak with Grayson Richey, Mayhew’s Program Director, at 603-254-3909 before completing a referral application.)

For more information, please call Grayson Richey, Mayhew’s Program Director, at (603) 254-3909.

Please click here to access our Referral Application Page.