National nonprofit organization aims to support men in leading full and emotionally healthy lives through local communities. Cattaraugus County is one of the most recent Chartered Communities, adding to a rapidly growing list of men’s support hubs in over 30 locations across the United States.
OLEAN, NY (PRWEB) November 11, 2014
The ManKind Project USA this week granted a charter for a Cattaraugus County Forming Community, the first of its kind in the nation. A forming community represents the newest designation granted by the ManKind Project USA. There are now over 40 Areas, Sustaining Communities, and Developing Communities in geographies across the United States, supporting over 5,000 men each week in peer-facilitated support groups.
The charter was granted to Olean residents Edwin K. Morris and Michael John Gargano, who will provide leadership for the Community.
“We believe emotionally mature, accountable, and compassionate men build strong families, communities, and nations,” says the 49-year-old Morris who first became affiliated with MKP in Arizona.
“There are many kinds of organizations and groups in this world to support various people – women, children, teens, elderly, people with disabilities, etc. But there are few organizations with the mission of helping men become better men. That’s what this is about,” he said.
The ManKind Project (MKP) is an international nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for men to set and pursue personal, economic, social, relational, and spiritual goals, starting with a deeper understanding of self. The organization is open to people of all faiths and is a registered 501(c)(3) in the United States.
Morris said the organization has helped him to improve his personal and professional relationships and also to cultivate a motivating mission for his life.
“Men in our culture aren’t typically raised to feel or appropriately express emotion or to effectively and truthfully communicate. Many find themselves paralyzed or stalled in the pursuit of their life’s purpose as a result.” said Boysen Hodgson, the Communications Director for the organization, “The ManKind Project is intent on creating spaces for men to do the work it takes to be healthy, awake, and emotionally mature. These are the men we need to solve the issues we see happening with men today – domestic violence, depression, lack of motivation and personal responsibility. The ManKind Project has tools that help.”
A Forming Community is one of three types of communities or “chapters” sponsored and endorsed by MKP. The Cattaraugus County group’s goal is to involve more than 40 men to advance the organization to the Sustaining Community level.
Any man residing in or near Cattaraugus County is welcome to become familiar with MKP and begin their journey through association with the Cattaraugus County Forming Community. To gain the full benefits of engagement, men are encouraged to participate in a training weekend sponsored by MKP called the New Warrior Training Adventure, and to connect with a group to continue their work and build community locally.
For more information or to schedule a presentation about The Mankind Project or the Cattaraugus County Forming Community of MKP, contact Edwin Morris at ekmo4(at)gmail(dot)com.