Manteca Manteca is more than just a place to live. It is a community full of life. It’s the laughter of the young — and young at heart —as they gets soaked from Manteca firefighter spraying water above the crowds filling Main Street as the Fourth of July parade. It’s in the smile of seniors — those in high school and those retired — sharing a dance at the annual teen-senior dance. And it is in the look of satisfaction on faces of those who spend several hours on a Saturday gleaning citrus from residential trees that would otherwise go to waste so those in need don’t go without. Some cities build homes. Manteca builds a community. It goes beyond churches, solid schools, and a host of activities for youth. Manteca goes beyond what you’d expect to find in a typical community. Thirty-five years ago when people noticed when latchkey kids were getting into mischief after school and in the summer, the community banded together, raised money and used volunteers to build a Boys & Girls Club. Today that club is still going strong with 1,200 active members. It is financially supported 100 percent by the community. Thirty-one years ago when churches noticed an upswing in struggling families, they joined forces to found HOPE Family Shelters. Since then 180 people a year — families, single moms, and their children — are provided temporary shelter while receiving help at better managing their finances and addressing issues that make keeping a roof over their heads precarious. HOPE Family Shelters enjoys a 70 percent success rate when it comes to families being able to secure and retain permanent housing after spending up to three months at one of the shelters. That compares to the national rate of 10 percent. It is done though active community support that includes donating funds for 90 percent of its budget. Twenty-two years ago a home builder — the late Antone Raymus — was frustrated at seeing young people struggle and end up making bad decisions. When he was told much of the issues could be traced back to not being able to grasp reading, writing, and math as well as a lack of mentoring, Raymus gathered community leaders together and put up $300,000 of his own money to form a free tutoring and mentoring organization called Give Every Child a Chance. Today the non-profit has more than 30 tutoring sites and helps more than 3,000 kids a year to perform better in school. The three programs are not the exception, but rather the rule in Manteca. And when the city established a pro-
family city values gram — such as the Manteca Senior Center — the community picks up the ball and runs with it. The senior center is considered one of the most active in Northern California with numerous activities and programs for seniors. The moniker Family City is not just a snappy city slogan. To make the community more family friendly, city leaders long ago decided Manteca needed to strive to have a park within a half mile walking distance of any home. Today Manteca — with nearly 85,000 residents — has more than Cinco de Mayo is just one of the many family-orientated 70 parks. It is by far the cultural events taking place in Manteca throughout the year. highest number per capparade and Christmas at the Promenade. ita in the region. Other community projects includes Flags Youth activities run the gamut from organized sports and vibrant JROTC programs Over Manteca. It involves placing 2,400 flags along Manteca’s main streets 10 times to FFA, 4H, Scouting, and more. The Manteca Chamber of Commerce a year on days such as Martin Luther King makes it their business to help build a stron- Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Fourth of July, ger community fabric. They stage the annual Twilight Christmas and Sept. 11.
CRUISE OVER TO COGIR OF MANTECA! New friends, new activities, new experiences, along with 3 Chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, transportation, and so much more. With independent and assisted living services available, your new home awaits at Cogir of Manteca! Call or just stop by for a tour today! 430 N Union Rd., Manteca, CA 95337 Lic # 392700473
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