Lead with purpose.

Every young man deserves a chance to build a meaningful life.

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A military officer in camouflage uniform and helmet speaking to a large group of soldiers seated outdoors, all wearing camouflage uniforms and helmets, with a camouflage net overhead.

Legacy in Action

Every young man deserves a chance to build a meaningful life — no matter where he starts.

The CSM Project is a nonprofit founded in memory of CSM Glenn Allen Blackwell, a man who rose from hardship to become a soldier, mentor, and father whose leadership changed lives.

We honor his legacy by walking alongside young men who are stepping into adulthood without the safety nets many take for granted — young men aging out of foster care, living in transitional housing, leaving detention, or simply navigating independence without family support.

Here, leadership isn’t about rank. It’s about responsibility — for yourself, your choices, and your future.

Whether your next step is college, a career, or the military, The CSM Project helps you take it with confidence and direction.

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Our Core Values

  • Outline of two hands holding a group of three people

    Opportunity

    We believe every young man deserves equal access to opportunity.

  • Gold outline of two hands clasped in a handshake.

    Integrity

    We lead with honesty, trust, and accountability.

  • Minimalist icon of a person with hands on hips, surrounded by lines indicating brightness or energy.

    Empowerment

    We build confidence and self-sufficiency through education and mentorship.

  • Gold outlined star with radiating lines on a white background.

    Excellence

    We set high expectations and support youth in exceeding them.

A group of diverse young people huddling together outdoors, with their arms around each other in a show of support and solidarity.

Our Vision

A world where every young man — regardless of circumstance — has the support, confidence, and direction to lead a life of purpose.

Our Mission

To empower young men emerging from foster care, transitional housing, and detention to step confidently into adulthood through mentorship, life-skills training, and practical resources rooted in the values of discipline, compassion, and integrity.

What We Do

Turning Pain Into Purpose

A gray hiking backpack with a water bottle attached, placed on a rocky surface with a scenic mountain landscape in the background during sunset.

Pinnacle Packs

Our signature program provides each participant with a Pinnacle Pack — a tangible start to self-sufficiency and confidence. Each pack includes: Dress shirt, tie, and hygiene essentials; resource guides for education, career training, and military pathways; access to mentorship, coaching, and community support.

Two men smiling and looking at each other outdoors on a cloudy day. One man has his arm around the other.

Mentorship & Leadership Circles

Each young man is paired with a mentor, often a veteran, educator, or community leader who offers encouragement, accountability, and real-world guidance. Leadership Circles help fellows set goals, manage life decisions, and practice the discipline that builds success.

A smiling young man with dreadlocks and a denim jacket standing on a busy city street with pedestrians in the background.

Pathways to Opportunity

Through partnerships with colleges, workforce programs, and military organizations, we connect each fellow to opportunities that fit his strengths, whether that’s earning a degree, enlisting, or building a skilled trade career.

A young man (CSM Blackwell) in a U.S. Army uniform with a garrison cap, dress shirt, tie, and decorated jacket, posing for a portrait.

THE MAN BEHIND THE MISSION — The Legacy of CSM Glenn Allen Blackwell

The late Command Sergeant Major Glenn Allen Blackwell was the embodiment of transformational leadership through integrity, discipline, and compassion. He led with strength, humor, and unwavering fairness. His soldiers remember him for his discipline and his heart.

He believed that real leadership wasn’t about authority; it was about responsibility and the courage to guide others, the humility to listen, and the commitment to protect those under your care.

Known for his “iron hand and open heart,” he believed leadership wasn’t about authority, it was about responsibility: to guide, protect, and help others grow. His lessons in truth, perseverance, and humility continue to shape lives far beyond the military. The CSM Project carries his legacy forward, helping young men rise with purpose and strength.

Meet CSM Blackwell

  • “What a great First Sergeant. He saw my leadership potential and helped make me an NCO... something almost unheard of for a medic. I have been retired now for over 20 years. He is the only First Sergeant I remember from over 20 years of service. That tells you something.”

    — Darrell Overbey

  • "I absolutely loved 1SG Blackwell and measured every single 1SG in my career after him. He showed that a 1SG can actively run a battery without interfering with it. He was the embodiment of Leadership Through Showmanship."

    — Friend

  • "I had the honor of serving with this great man twice, once in Germany and again at Fort Sill, Oklahoma when I served as a Drill Sergeant. I was a troubled individual in Germany as a Specialist Four. Sergeant Blackwell saw something in me and took me under his wings and did far more than show me how to be a good soldier but how to be a good man."

    — Charles Landrum

  • "One of the greatest men I ever had to privilege to work with. He taught a soldier not to be just a soldier, but how to be a good soldier. I hope he has all of those squirrels running around with their weapons for P.T."

    — Robert J. Crum

  • "Truly a legend. Trees moved when he entered the forests of Grafenwhoer and the sound of young soldiers rapidly getting themselves together broke the silence. They just don’t make them like him anymore."

    — Dr. Brian Schaeffer

Empower a young man’s next chapter.

Support The CSM Project and help build futures grounded in purpose and leadership.

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