MANAWA C.A.R.E.S. (Community Actions and Resources to Engage Students)
In early 2006, community members were invited to a presentation on findings from a Search Institute Survey of Manawa students in grades 7 – 11 to discover the top strengths and needs reported by our youth to successful launch into adult and community life. Only 17% of Manawa students felt that adults in the community valued young people. Only 22% felt that young people were given useful roles in the community. 20% felt the adults in their lives modeled positive and responsible behavior.
In comparison to students across the country and Wisconsin our students were optimistic about their future, were willing to stand up for their beliefs, showed honesty, took responsibility for their actions, were motivated to do well in school and cared about their school. In addition, they reported support from faith and family and neighborhoods, felt safe and valued friends.
Manawa young people also showed they were less likely to read for pleasure or spend enough time on homework, needed better planning and decision making skills, needed help resisting negative peer pressure and had little opportunity or knowledge about people of different cultures or backgrounds. Support from their community and families were needed to provide more creative activities, spend time with adult role models, provide positive family communications to seek parent advice, serve as community volunteers themselves and have more parent involvement in school. The findings energized a number of people in the packed room who heard the presentation at the Sturm Memorial Library who saw the need to join forces to provide more opportunities for our students to better meet their personal needs for lifelong success by developing a health and safety council in Manawa.
By March 2006, this group formed with the help of creative and artistic student representatives and was named Manawa C.A.R.E.S. (MANAWA COMMUNITY ACTIONS AND RESOURCES TO ENGAGE STUDENTS). This school-community-youth partnership identified its mission as: Developing today's youth into tomorrow's leaders. Our primary goal is to provide young people in Manawa with more opportunities that will allow them to explore their individual pursuits and engage more fully in the community!
In early 2006, community members were invited to a presentation on findings from a Search Institute Survey of Manawa students in grades 7 – 11 to discover the top strengths and needs reported by our youth to successful launch into adult and community life. Only 17% of Manawa students felt that adults in the community valued young people. Only 22% felt that young people were given useful roles in the community. 20% felt the adults in their lives modeled positive and responsible behavior.
In comparison to students across the country and Wisconsin our students were optimistic about their future, were willing to stand up for their beliefs, showed honesty, took responsibility for their actions, were motivated to do well in school and cared about their school. In addition, they reported support from faith and family and neighborhoods, felt safe and valued friends.
Manawa young people also showed they were less likely to read for pleasure or spend enough time on homework, needed better planning and decision making skills, needed help resisting negative peer pressure and had little opportunity or knowledge about people of different cultures or backgrounds. Support from their community and families were needed to provide more creative activities, spend time with adult role models, provide positive family communications to seek parent advice, serve as community volunteers themselves and have more parent involvement in school. The findings energized a number of people in the packed room who heard the presentation at the Sturm Memorial Library who saw the need to join forces to provide more opportunities for our students to better meet their personal needs for lifelong success by developing a health and safety council in Manawa.
By March 2006, this group formed with the help of creative and artistic student representatives and was named Manawa C.A.R.E.S. (MANAWA COMMUNITY ACTIONS AND RESOURCES TO ENGAGE STUDENTS). This school-community-youth partnership identified its mission as: Developing today's youth into tomorrow's leaders. Our primary goal is to provide young people in Manawa with more opportunities that will allow them to explore their individual pursuits and engage more fully in the community!