The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Latest news

Related Photos

  • UnitedWay

    UnitedWay

September 16, 2011

United Way raises goal 2 percent

By Brian Ojanpa Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — The Greater Mankato Area United Way kicked off its 2012 fundraising campaign Friday and announced the launching of a new school-based mentoring program.

The YMCA-conducted program will help fill mentoring needs for dozens of children in the community, local United Way President Laura Bowman said. The program will utilize caring adults visiting schools and letting children know they matter.

Bowman said the United Way will allocate additional funds to the YMCA to recruit mentors who will have lunch once a week with at-risk students.

The United Way also will increase funding to Girls on the Run, a program focusing on self-esteem and confidence building through running and other activities.

There also will be increased funding to the BackPack Food Program that will distribute 20,000 food packs this school year.

The 2012 United Way campaign goal is $1,930,000, a 2 percent increase over the amount raised last year.

The organization funds more than 50 programs in 25 area communities.

One of those programs, Connecting Kids, was a godsend for Tiana Woitas, who recounted her story Friday at the United Way campaign launch program in Verizon Wireless Center.

The young Mankato woman said in 2007 she received a program scholarship to help pursue dance instruction that her single-parent family could ill afford.

“They say that when you’re young, don’t fall in love. Well, when I was young, I fell in love with dance. But my heart was always broken because we never could afford it.”

With the help of United Way, the Mankato Loyola High School student was able to pursue her dream and is among 12 young women chosen this year to join the Minnesota Timberwolves dance team.

In May Woitas received a degree in social work from the College of St. Benedict.

“It’s my desire and passion to work with youth ... to give back to the community.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Latest news