06/15/2026
Congratulations to Northern Essex Community College alumnus Michael Bastien, named a 2026 Rising Star Awardee by the Lawrence Partnership.
Announcing our 2026 Rising Star Awardees 💫 LP Annual Meeting: bit.ly/LPAnnualMtg26
Michael Bastien is the Founder & CEO of Brothers in Arms Men’s Support Circle, a community-rooted organization advancing men’s mental health, restorative practices, and generational transformation. Since 2022, the organization has served over 250 men and youth in-person through circles, leadership development, and community-based programming.
Under his leadership, Brothers in Arms has grown from $36,000 to over a quarter million in one year, expanding its reach, programs, and impact. He is also Co-Founder of the Juneteenth Arts & Awareness Festival, which draws over 1,000 attendees annually.
Michael leads organizational strategy, partnerships, and program development, with a focus on building sustainable systems that drive long-term community impact. A key initiative is the Fatherhood Relief Fund, where he is currently leading a crowdfunding effort with over $10,000 raised to support fathers facing financial hardship—paired with financial literacy, life skills, and long-term empowerment. His philosophy is simple: teach fathers how to fish, not just feed them.
He is currently a LEADS Fellow and has completed Tier 1 & 2 Restorative Justice Training at Suffolk University. Michael is also a graduate of Northern Essex Community College and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s Core Certificate Program.
Looking ahead, he is exploring ways to integrate technology with in-person programming to expand access while maintaining a strong, community-centered approach, with a long-term vision to reach one million men nationwide.
