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Hermanitas Project

Overview:
MANA, A National Latina Organization® established the HERMANITAS® mentoring project in 1994. Approximately 500 young women participate in the project nationwide.

MANA del Norte, a chapter of MANA, has a proven track record of mentoring young Latinas. Our HERMANITAS project works with young Latinas, ages 11-17. The project is designed to guide young girls toward healthy and productiveteen years by providing growth-enhancing, challenging leadership opportunities. The girls have opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities, such as workshops, field trips, seminars and fundraising. Our mentors (hermanas) teach the hermanitas life skills and model leadership qualities necessary to succeed.

Why a Mentoring Project?
Mentoring is an effective way to guide and influence young girls as they face the many challenges of adolescence. In particular, young Latinas benefit from positive role models early in their school careers. Mentoring can act as deterrence to the peer-pressure influences for high-school dropout; teen pregnancy; and drug/alcohol abuse. The HERMANITA mentoring project believes it can make a difference in the success of Northern New Mexico's Hispanic youth and combating one of the highest dropout rates in New Mexico.

Project Sponsorship
This project is funded by MANA del Norte operating funds and fundraising. MANA del Norte members volunteer to administer the project.

Project Values
The HERMANITAS Project embraces values that demonstrate:
Proactive actions, cultural pride, and self-awareness
Goal-orientation, bilingual/bicultural ability and awareness, and integrity
Civic responsibility, nurturing, and assertiveness
Strategic and critical thinking, advocacy and resourcefulness

Project Goals
The HERMANITAS Project goals are to:
Promote educational achievement and personal enrichment
Promote cultural identity, respect, pride, and multicultural awareness
Develop leadership qualities and skills
Promote proactive community involvement

Project Activities
Cultural field trips
MANA National Summer Institute Washington, D.C.
Ropes team building workshop
Georgia O'Keefe Art & Leadership Workshop
MANA National Conference
Traditional Hispanic arts and crafts classes
Science and health related workshops

Who is Eligible?
Currently, Latinas, ages 11-17 from Santa Fe, Española and Pojoaque Valley areas that are:
Students in good standing
Willing to develop leadership skills
Have parent/guardian permission to participate

Interested girls from surrounding areas will be considered for participation.

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