Community Spotlight is on:
MANA, a National Latina Organization, HERMANITAS® Program
Who They Are
Founded in 1974, MANA, a National Latina Organization (MANA), is a national grassroots membership organization with chapters and individual members across the country. Its mission is to empower Latinas through community service, leadership development, and advocacy. MANA’s four national goals are to: strengthen Latinas as community leaders; create vital Hispanic communities; advance public policy for an equal and just society; and grow and sustain a healthy organization. The
organization’s mission and goals are achieved through MANA’s two premiere programs, the AvanZamos® adult Latina leadership training program and the National HERMANITAS® Mentoring Program for young Latinas between ages 11 and 17.
What They Do
MANA’s HERMANITAS® program provides education, training, mentoring, and peer support to Hispanic female adolescents. The program encourages young Latinas to stay in school and pursue high academic goals. MANA considers the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of Latina youth by providing accurate information, nonjudgmental counseling, and skill-building opportunities. The program also aims to develop strong young Latinas who are active in their communities.
How They Do It
HERMANITAS® empowers Latinas through education, leadership development, health and fitness, cultural awareness, and community action. The program is designed to instill within future Latina leaders, strong family and cultural values, integrity, self-esteem, self-awareness, pride, and civic and cultural responsibility. HERMANITAS® is a youth development effort, in which MANA and other community members volunteer their time to mentor young Latinas. The process involves partnering with their families, schools, community, and other organizations.
Every July MANA holds the National Hermanitas Summer Institute, a weekend-long conference for Latinas ages 11 to 17. This year the conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Crystal City, VA, on July 15 to 18. The theme this year is “College Bound,” and the workshops primarily focus on providing the participants with information they need to begin the college admissions process. Topics include setting goals, financing a college education, preparing applications, and studying for the SATs. For additional information about the HERMANITAS® program, e-mail the HERMANITAS® Program Manager at manahermanitas@aol.com
The Goals of HERMANITAS®
- Adopt healthy living strategies and approaches
- Promote educational achievement and personal enrichment
- Develop leadership qualities, skills, and abilities
- Promote cultural identity, respect, pride, and multicultural awareness
- Promote proactive community involvement.
Learn how the HERMANITAS® program has influenced a Reporteritas life.
How ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Helped
The ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! initiative materials are written in a way that Latina girls can understand and relate to. These materials have been used in conferences and HERMANITAS® meetings and support the HERMANITAS® program goals as well as the specific needs of young Latina adolescents, such as increasing self-confidence, raising expectations for their future, helping them excel academically, and helping them realize their potential. The ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Initiative team has been an active supporter of the HERMANITAS® program by lending their presence, materials, and speakers to the conference.
Contact:
MANA, a National Latina Organization
1725 K Street, N.W., Suite 501
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 833-0060
Fax: (202) 436-0588
www.hermana.org
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