The Rites of Passage Foundation is an organisation allied with, but independent of Essentially Men. They are a Registered Charitable Trust that supports young people's development and well being.
Their programs address the increase in isolation, anxiety and mental health challenges by providing tools and resources for young people to navigate challenges in their environments and to actualise their goals.
Their rites of passage for young people are a multi stage process. Teenagers who have experienced their initiation are invited back to subsequent programmes as mentors for the new initiates.
A lot of young people come back many times and eventually step into leadership and facilitation roles. Some of them take on leadership roles in the community.
Their work focuses on the significant stages of young people's lives and involve whānau and the wider community, recognising the important role they play in their development.
The Rites of Passage Foundation offers many programmes:
Rites of Passage
5 day residential Rites of Passage program for girls and their mothers (Tides) and for boys and their fathers (Tracks) run three times a year during the school holidays.
Rising Tides/Sons
Pre rite of passage weekend program for girls age 9-11 and their mums, and boys 8-10 and their dads run twice a year.
Youth Leadership Pathway
Youth that have attended a rite can return as a Young Leader or Tuakana (buddy), developing valuable skills in leadership, facilitation, teamwork and communication.
Crossroads
A 5-day gender inclusive program open to ages 18 - 35. An opportunity to connect the wider community with rites of passage, inviting Tracks and Tides whānau to bring a friend or partner who hasn’t journeyed through a rites of passage program before.
Ebb 'n' Flow and GMMT
Once a year, they run weekend residentials for women (Ebb 'n' Flow) and men (Good Men Make Tracks) with an interest in rites of passage, transition & life's stages. This could also be a gateway to being involved in the Tides or Tracks work.
Marking Life's Stages
A gender inclusive and inter-generational gathering that welcomes adults to consciously mark the life stage or transition that is emerging. The weekend offers an opportunity for couples, siblings, or parents and their adult children to experience a facilitated rite of passage, journeying together.
Wilderness Solo
A wilderness solo is a contemporary translation of the ancient ritual of the vision quest, which was held in all corners of the world. Alone in the wilderness...with only yourself, and nature as your companion. This program runs once a year for seven days at Canaan Downs up on top of Takaka Hill in Golden Bay.