Event Toolkit

Theme & Purpose

This activity helps young men recognize the everyday heroes in their lives — parents, teachers, coaches, peers, or neighbors who quietly lead and inspire. But it also goes deeper: through the #MillionMaskMovement, participants reflect on the heroic qualities they carry inside that they usually don’t let others see.

By connecting these two perspectives — heroes we look up to and the hero within — young men learn that everyday heroism is not only around them, but also inside them, waiting to be expressed. Heroism becomes less about fame and more about authenticity, courage, and responsibility to one another.

Benefits for Young Men

1. Positive Role Models – Recognize people in their lives whose examples they can follow.

2. Self-Reflection – Discover the strengths and heroic qualities they carry but don’t often express.

3. Community Leadership – Understand that being a hero starts with small, everyday actions of brotherhood and care.

Group Size

6–20 participants (plus audience if open to the public)..

Time Needed

60–90 minutes total.

STEP-BY-STEP Program

Heroes Among Us: Young Men Rising

1. Welcome & Purpose (5 minutes)

Host Script:
“Every community is held together by people who go above and beyond — not for recognition, but because they care. Today we’ll celebrate those everyday heroes. We’ll also reflect on the heroic qualities we carry but usually don’t let others see through the #MillionMaskMovement — because being a hero starts with being real.”

2. Think About Your Hero (5 minutes)

Ask participants to silently think of someone they consider a hero in their life or community.
Examples:

• A coach who sacrifices for his team.

• A peer who speaks up courageously or even a friend whose qualities you like or admire

• A parent or mentor who shows consistent care.

3. Create a Mask (15 minutes)

• Hand out mask cards.

• Invite participants to draw/write:

  • Front (outside): what they show the world.

  • Back (inside): what they don’t let others see about themselves.

• Mask Links:

  • Paper: millionmask.org

  • Digital: millionmask.org/drawboard

• Collect masks face down in a box, shuffle, and redistribute.

• Reflection: “Just like the heroes we admire, each of us carries strengths we may not always show. Imagine how powerful our communities would be if we brought these hidden qualities forward.”

4. Write & Share (20 minutes)

On an index card, participants write their hero’s name (or description) and why they inspire them.
In a circle, each person shares:

1. Who their hero is.

2. The action or quality that makes them heroic.

3. How this connects to the heroic qualities revealed in the masks.

5. Group Reflection (10 minutes)

Facilitate discussion:

• What common values do we notice in our heroes?

• How do these values match the heroic qualities on the masks?

• How can we show those same qualities in our everyday lives?

6. Personal Commitment (5–10 minutes)

Each participant writes down one action they will take this month to live out their heroic qualities — supporting a peer, uplifting their community, or showing courage in a small way.

7. Closing & Positive Action (5–10 minutes)

Host Closing Script:
“Our heroes show us that leadership is about care, courage, and connection. When we take off the masks and recognize the strengths we usually don’t let others see, we realize those same heroic qualities are already within us. Each of us can be an everyday hero.”

8. SHARE MASKS POST EVENT (10 minutes)

Take pictures of each mask and email them to millionmask@everforwardclub.org to join our #MillionMaskMovement and help us reach 100,000 people by this November!

Optional Add-Ons

• Wall of Heroes: Display index cards and masks side by side in a school or community center.

• Hero Guests: Invite one or two of the heroes named to a future gathering.

• Hero Leaves: Create take-home “Hero Leaves” where participants write their commitment.

For any questions, please contact millionmask@everforwardclub.org