Our Leadership Team

About Tarvus Hawthorne

Founder & CEO, Boys II Men Transitional Living Home

 

Tarvus Hawthorne is a visionary leader, youth advocate, and community change agent who brings lived experience, compassion, and leadership to his work. A lifelong Milwaukee resident, Tarvus has dedicated his career to empowering young men of color, especially those navigating trauma, instability, and systemic barriers.

 

With over 14 years of experience in youth behavioral health and more than a decade in grassroots community organizing, Tarvus is deeply attuned to the unique challenges faced by young people in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. He is a graduate of Cardinal Stritch University with a degree in Business and Human Service Management and has earned specialized certifications from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Youth Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Informed Care.

 

Tarvus’s passion for healing and empowerment led him to establish Boys II Men Transitional Living Home, a safe, structured, and supportive environment for adolescent boys transitioning out of foster care, group homes, or unstable family situations. Under his leadership, the organization has become a model for trauma-informed, culturally responsive youth care in Wisconsin.

 

At Boys II Men, Tarvus leads a multidisciplinary team of professionals who are trained to recognize and respond to the impact of trauma on behavior, development, and relationships. The program is rooted in the core principles of safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. Youth are engaged through a strengths-based lens that highlights their potential, resilience, and ability to heal.

 

Tarvus is intentional about ensuring cultural responsiveness in every aspect of the organization. Staff members reflect the racial and socioeconomic backgrounds of the youth served, allowing for greater trust, relatability, and cultural sensitivity. The program affirms each young person’s identity and lived experience while actively working to counteract the long-term effects of systemic inequities.

 

All staff receive ongoing training in implicit bias, cultural humility, gender-responsive practices, and LGBTQ+ affirming care, and Boys II Men partners with culturally competent providers when external support is needed.

 

Through his leadership, Tarvus continues to be a powerful force for equity, restoration, and generational impact. He is committed to creating a world where every young man—no matter his past—has access to stability, opportunity, and a future filled with purpose.