The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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Youth forum

If You Go
What
“Our Community’s Youth,” part of the United Way’s Community Issues Lunch Forum series
When
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17. Registration required by Monday; visit mankatouw@mankatounitedway.org.
Where
South Central College’s Heritage Room
Cost
The event is free, and lunch is free (provided via a grant from Youth Community Connections).

June 10, 2011

Youth-family forum set for June 17

By Robb Murray The Free Press

NORTH MANKATO — The Mankato area has a lot to be proud of. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t areas for improvement.

“People would be amazed to find out what’s happening with youth in our community,” said Laura Bowman, executive director of the Mankato Area United Way.

While it’s true Mankato has repeatedly been named one of the nation’s top cities for youth and families, recent surveys suggest not all is perfect. One finding showed girls in the Mankato Area Public Schools are struggling with mental health issues at higher rates than their peers across the state.

Also, the United Way says, 1 in 4 kids report they do not have a positive adult role model in their life.

A United Way-sponsored forum set for June 17 aims to shed light on the issue and tell parents and community members what can be done to improve things.

“The purpose is to raise awareness about the need for youth programming,” Bowman said.

The forum, which will be held at South Central College, will feature four speakers: Cheryl Hamond from the YMCA, Joan Eisenreich from Community Education and Recreation, Kate Cox from Mankato’s Council for Health Action and Promotion, and Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn from the Twin Cities-based Youth Community Connections.

Bowman said the United Way has identified mentoring as a key focus area, and that it will be beefing up funding for some of the mentoring programs it already works with.

“We’ll be addressing the need and provide statistics about why it’s so important to have positive role models,” Bowman said.

The youth forum, which also will provide lunch to attendees, is part of an effort by the United Way to engage the community. The recent event at South Central College on aging was another in the United Way’s outreach efforts.

“One of United Way’s key goals is to raise awareness about community issues,” Bowman said. “You’re going to continue to see the United Way convening people more often. We know in many cases it’s best when we can locally address these issues.”

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