It is hard to believe that I became a ManaTEEN member nearly eight years ago, when I was an eigth grader at Lee Middle. Volunteering was something I was used to doing with my family, but it quickly grew into a passion and hobby of mine. One of the first ManaTEEN sponsored opportunities I participated in was Adopt-a-Pet at the local Petsmart. My sister, and a friend of mine helped dogs and cats from the Humane Society get adopted and provided care for the animals too. For those like me who love animals there are always new opportunities to work with them and the Humane Society is always looking for foster families- just check your ManaTEEN e-mails each week! While animal welfare is a popular foci in the ManaTEEN Club, there are also many more opportunities that are interesting!
As a ManaTEEN member, you have the ability to volunteer at projects that deal with health and human services, disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response, the environment, and even technology! In the past I have been able to work with children at school festivals, serve food to Meals on Wheels recipients, and organize donations for those in need such as soldiers, expectant mothers, and senior citizens. Another project that I will never forget took place in Arcadia after Hurricane Charley hit. As a member of the ManaTEENs Advisory Council (MAC), I traveled to Arcadia with the rest of the council to restore a home that was severely damaged by the storm. Seeing the wreckage in the area was upseting, but I am very glad I had the chance to help out those who were affected. Even though the work we did in Arcadia was somewhat difficult and it was hot outside, I will always think back on the day and remember how much fun we had as a group! As for environmental projects, beach-cleanups are always exciting. The large amounts of trash collected from the beach really make you feel good about making these public spaces cleaner for visitors and the animals that live there.
The ManaTEEN Club gives youth the opportunity to make a difference in the community, but it does much more than that. When I first joined the club, I was very nervous. I was quiet and lacked confidence in myself. All of this changed when I started volunteering and when I participated in the trainings the club offers! The first training I attended was a Points of Light Youth Leadership training(PYLI) taught by ManaTEEN Club founder, Laura Lockwood. This training brought me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to people that became my best friends and whom I still talk with today! These people were like a second family to me and together we traveled to Tallahassee to conduct our own training on youth volunteerism, civic engagement and advocacy called Service Learning Impacting Citizenship(SLIC). The memories I have made as a ManaTEEN are incredible! As a ManaTEEN member I finally had friends and the doors that were opened to new opportunities were endless!
There are so many trainings that the ManaTEEN Club has. I have been extremely fortunate because I have been able to take not only the leadership trainings, but also aging sensativity training, Volunteer Reception Center training, journalism training at Poynter Institute, and Toastmasters, a public speaking course(a SPECIAL THANKS to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation). My writing skills, communication skills, leadership skills have all improved! These trainings have been helpful in college as well. The experiences I had as a ManaTEEN have built my character and allowed me to have an idea of what I wanted to pursue a career in.
After graduating from high school I was able to serve as an AmeriCorps* Summer VISTA because of the ManaTEEN Club. I have continued to serve my community and I am so grateful to the ManaTEEN Club!!!! I would not be the person I am today if it were not for my involvement in the Club and the amazing people! Now as a junior at the University of South Florida, I work for Volunteer Services of Manatee County, Inc and get to watch all the new members who join! Life couldn't be any better! I want to thank the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center, Adraine LaRoza, ManaTEEN Club founder and Program Director, Laura Lockwood, and the rest of the staff! I love you guys!
It is great to be a ManaTEEN Alum! I will always cherish my time as a ManaTEEN and the people whose lives I impacted, AND those who impacted mine! I could probably write a novel about my time as a ManaTEEN, but I'll bring this blog to an end- JOIN ManaTEENS!
posted by Ashley Bower
As a ManaTEEN member, you have the ability to volunteer at projects that deal with health and human services, disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response, the environment, and even technology! In the past I have been able to work with children at school festivals, serve food to Meals on Wheels recipients, and organize donations for those in need such as soldiers, expectant mothers, and senior citizens. Another project that I will never forget took place in Arcadia after Hurricane Charley hit. As a member of the ManaTEENs Advisory Council (MAC), I traveled to Arcadia with the rest of the council to restore a home that was severely damaged by the storm. Seeing the wreckage in the area was upseting, but I am very glad I had the chance to help out those who were affected. Even though the work we did in Arcadia was somewhat difficult and it was hot outside, I will always think back on the day and remember how much fun we had as a group! As for environmental projects, beach-cleanups are always exciting. The large amounts of trash collected from the beach really make you feel good about making these public spaces cleaner for visitors and the animals that live there.
The ManaTEEN Club gives youth the opportunity to make a difference in the community, but it does much more than that. When I first joined the club, I was very nervous. I was quiet and lacked confidence in myself. All of this changed when I started volunteering and when I participated in the trainings the club offers! The first training I attended was a Points of Light Youth Leadership training(PYLI) taught by ManaTEEN Club founder, Laura Lockwood. This training brought me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to people that became my best friends and whom I still talk with today! These people were like a second family to me and together we traveled to Tallahassee to conduct our own training on youth volunteerism, civic engagement and advocacy called Service Learning Impacting Citizenship(SLIC). The memories I have made as a ManaTEEN are incredible! As a ManaTEEN member I finally had friends and the doors that were opened to new opportunities were endless!
There are so many trainings that the ManaTEEN Club has. I have been extremely fortunate because I have been able to take not only the leadership trainings, but also aging sensativity training, Volunteer Reception Center training, journalism training at Poynter Institute, and Toastmasters, a public speaking course(a SPECIAL THANKS to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation). My writing skills, communication skills, leadership skills have all improved! These trainings have been helpful in college as well. The experiences I had as a ManaTEEN have built my character and allowed me to have an idea of what I wanted to pursue a career in.
After graduating from high school I was able to serve as an AmeriCorps* Summer VISTA because of the ManaTEEN Club. I have continued to serve my community and I am so grateful to the ManaTEEN Club!!!! I would not be the person I am today if it were not for my involvement in the Club and the amazing people! Now as a junior at the University of South Florida, I work for Volunteer Services of Manatee County, Inc and get to watch all the new members who join! Life couldn't be any better! I want to thank the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center, Adraine LaRoza, ManaTEEN Club founder and Program Director, Laura Lockwood, and the rest of the staff! I love you guys!
It is great to be a ManaTEEN Alum! I will always cherish my time as a ManaTEEN and the people whose lives I impacted, AND those who impacted mine! I could probably write a novel about my time as a ManaTEEN, but I'll bring this blog to an end- JOIN ManaTEENS!
posted by Ashley Bower
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