One year ago, community members representing many organizations and interests came together to form Manawa Community Actions and Resources to Engage Students (CARES) to provide the area’s young people with more concrete opportunities to engage with each other and their communities in a safe and positive environment.
Manawa CARES mission statement is “Developing Today’s Youth into Tomorrow’s Leaders” and to that end the group has sponsored and organized several events for youth that will help them develop assets essential for meaningful and successful lives. The group is also forging partnerships with other community organizations, investigating grant opportunities and has submitted an application for non-profit status so that it can independently raise funds for future activities.
The most highly visible event that Manawa CARES sponsored was the Bob Lenz appearance in February. A nationally known motivational speaker for youth, he spoke to students at the Manawa Middle School and Little Wolf High School and to over 800 people at an evening faith-based assembly.
Manawa CARES also coordinated a Suicide Prevention curriculum workshop for area teachers with the Waupaca County UW-Extension, conducted healthy cooking classes for youth and their parents, provided a workshop for parents called “How to Be Your Child’s Emotional Coach” and conducted a Safety Fair for Manawa elementary School students with assistance from the Student Leadership class at Little Wolf High School.
Future events being planned by the organization include a Health Fair at the Manawa Middle School in the spring, a workshop on poverty for people who work with youth and workshops for youth on dating and other issues.
Manawa Cares meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Sturm Memorial Library. New members are always welcome including students. For more information call Ellen Connor at 920-596-2252 or Sondra Reynolds at 920-596-2551.
Manawa Advocate
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Lenz leaves a lasting impression
March 8, 2007--Manawa
The first major event sponsored by Manawa C.A.R.E.S. was a rounding success when motivational speaker Bob Lenz appeared at Little Wolf High School for presentations to the middle and high school students. Student feedback indicates that Lenz's message left an impression on the students that will stay with them for some time.
He is a nationally recognized speaker who has traveled all over the country speaking to oung people about the value of their lives and the goodwill they can bring to the worldaround them.
Manawa Advocate