Cohort #001 — February 13, 2027  •  10 spots  •  Ages 10–18  •  Ferndale, MI  •  100% Free
★ Free Program • Ferndale, Michigan

Free mentorship for young men
ready to become more.

The Gentlemen's Syndicate is a structured, 12-week cohort-based mentorship and leadership program for young men ages 10–18. Built on Integrity, Wisdom, and Leadership. No fees. No catch. Just brotherhood and real growth.

100% Free Ages 10–18 12 Weeks Ferndale, MI Cohort #001 — Feb 2027
"As he thinks… so he will be."
Cohort #001
Winter / Spring 2027 — Applications Open Feb 13
  • 10 spots available
  • Ages 10–18 (young men)
  • 12 weeks of structured programming
  • TCEC Ferndale — IGL at Grant
  • No cost. Ever.
  • Letterman jacket awarded at graduation
Apply for Cohort #001 →

Applications open February 13, 2027. Waitlist available now.

🏛️ Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Pending
📍 TCEC Ferndale — IGL at Grant
🛡️ Background-checked staff & volunteers
👨‍👩‍👦 Family engagement built in
The Program

Structured. Intentional. Built to last.

Every session of The Gentlemen's Syndicate has a purpose. We don't just fill time — we build character, week by week, brick by brick. The 12-week cohort model is designed so that every young man who completes it leaves more grounded, more accountable, and more connected to himself and his brothers.

01

Integrity

Who you are when nobody's watching is who you really are. We build young men who live the same in private as they do in public.

02

Wisdom

Pause before you act. Seek counsel. Think long. Young men learn to make decisions they'll be proud of five years from now.

03

Leadership

You are always modeling something. We train young men to lead with patience, firmness, and genuine care.

12
Structured weekly sessions per cohort
10
Young men in Cohort #001
$0
Cost to every participant, always
3
Pillars: Integrity, Wisdom, Leadership
Apply Now →
The Journey

What happens in 12 weeks.

Every milestone is earned. Every reward means something.

1
Week 1

The Box Is Presented

Every participant receives their Identity Box. The first patch — the Identity patch — is inside. The journey begins here.

2–5
Weeks 2–5

The Three Pillars, Week by Week

Sessions dig into Integrity, Wisdom, and Leadership through curriculum, discussion, and weekly Field Drills. Pillar patches are earnable.

6
Week 6 — Family Night

Mid-Cohort Family Dinner

Families gather. The GS Crest patch is earned. Patches are collected and jackets are ordered. Brotherhood is visible.

7–11
Weeks 7–11

Delayed Gratification

No new rewards. This is intentional. Young men learn to stay committed when the excitement fades — one of the most important lessons in the program.

12
Week 12 — Graduation

The Mic Drop & Jacket Ceremony

Each graduate delivers their Execution Declaration from memory. Their letterman jacket — with all earned patches applied — is presented to them. Families in the room. Game night follows.

📱 The free GS Safe Space app is available to all young men — program participants and community members alike. Open the app →

MS
Coach Michael Staton
Executive Director & Founder
Child Development Associate (CDA)
Preschool Lead Teacher — independent classroom
Recognized at UGA Coaches Clinic
Community Coach — IGL at Grant, TCEC Ferndale
Dedicated to Mark A. Staton Sr.

Built by a man who believes in young men.

Coach Michael Staton founded The Gentlemen's Syndicate because he saw what was possible when young men were given a structured, safe, relational environment — and he saw what was lost when they weren't.

With a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate and years of experience leading preschool classrooms independently, Coach brings both the credentials and the calling. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor's in Early Childhood Development as part of a long-term plan to build the 3–18 continuum — a pipeline that catches young men early and walks with them all the way to adulthood.

"Everything we ask of the young men in this program, we first ask of ourselves. The Standard is for all of us."

This organization exists in honor of his late father, Mark A. Staton Sr. Every session, every patch, every jacket, every graduation — is for Dad.

Read Our Full Story →
Program Partners & Community
TCEC Ferndale IGL at Grant Vibe Credit Union Gleaners Community Food Bank
Ready to Join

This is for young men who are ready.

The program is 100% free. The commitment is real. If your son, your brother, or a young man you know is ready to grow — this is the place.

Apply for Cohort #001 → Contact Us

Questions? Email info@gentlemenssyndicate.org