University For Man Incorporated

UFM COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFELONG LEARNING AND FACILITATES THE CREATION OF NEW COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES. IN FY24, UFM SERVED 13,464 INDIVIDUALS IN THE MANHATTAN, KS AREA.

UFM EDUCATION PROGRAM: THIS IS UFM'S LARGEST PROGRAM AND PRIMARY MISSION ACTIVITY. THE EDUCATION PROGRAM OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF NONCREDIT ENRICHMENT AND CREDIT COURSES AND WORKSHOPS. IN FY24, UFM OFFERED 614 ENRICHMENT COURSES AND 146 COURSES WERE OFFERED FOR CREDIT THROUGH KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY. IN FY24, 1,450 (UNDUPLICATED COUNT) PERSONS TOOK ENRICHMENT COURSES AND 998 RECEIVED KSU CREDIT FOR THEIR COURSEWORK. CLASS TOPICS INCLUDED AQUATICS, ARTS AND HOBBIES, FOODS AND NUTRITION, EARTH AND NATURE, HEALTH AND FITNESS, AND RECREATION. UFM COLLABORATES WITH MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATES IN COMMUNITY AWARENESS ACTIVITIES.

YOUTHBUILD BOUNTIFUL BRIDGES IS CURRENTLY A LARGE SPONSORED PROJECT FUNDED BY THE US DEPT OF LABOR. THE FULL GRANT WAS GIVEN TO THE MANHATTAN HOUSING AUTHORITY AND UFM IS THE SUBCONTRACTOR TO DELIVER SERVICES. THIS GRANT SUPPORTS PRE-APPRENTICESHIPS THAT WILL EDUCATE AND TRAIN YOUNG ADULTS AGES 16-24 FOR JOBS IN HIGH DEMAND INDUSTRIES INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION. YOUTHBUILD STUDENTS LEARN BUILDING AND REHABILITATION SKILLS TARGETED FOR LOW INCOME OR UNHOUSED FAMILIES TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. STUDENTS WORK ON GED COMPLETION AND ALSO GAIN CERTIFICATIONS SUCH AS OSHA 10 AND NCCER ACCREDITED CERTIFICATES. THE PROGRAM HAS WELCOMED 4 COHORTS OF STUDENTS SINCE OCTOBER, 2023. THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT GRANT SO REVENUE ALWAYS LAGS BEHIND EXPENSES WHILE WE AWAIT REPAYMENT OF THE MONTHLY EXPENSES.

MANHATTAN AREA RISK PREVENTION COALITION (MARPC): UFM RECEIVES AND ADMINISTERS GRANT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF MARPC, A COALITION OF 12 COMMUNITY SECTOR REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. THE GROUP'S FOCUS IS RISK REDUCTION AND PREVENTION AMONG YOUTH, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF DRUG/ALCOHOL USE ISSUES AND PREVENTION ACTIVITIES. THIS ALSO INCLUDES VAPING AMONG YOUTH AND FENTANYL EDUCATION. IN FY24, MARPC RECEIVED YEAR EIGHT OF A FEDERAL DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES GRANT. FUNDING WAS USED FOR A MEDIA CAMPAIGN ON SOCIAL HOSTING, RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL USE AND NOT PROVIDING ALCOHOL TO MINORS. MARPC COORDINATED STICKER SHOCK AT FORT RILEY. THIS PROJECT USED OVER 20 VOLUNTEERS TO PLACE STICKERS ON PACKAGED GOODS IN LIQUOR STORES REMINDING PURCHASERS NOT TO PROVIDE ALCOHOL TO MINORS. MARPC ALSO WORKED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SHARE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY SPONSORED PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND PARENTS ABOUT THE REALITY OF DRUG AVAILABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT. THE GROUP SCHEDULED MANY TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT ALCOHOL USE AND ABUSE PREVENTION. IN FY24, MARPC HAD 7,918 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. NO MEASUREMENT FOR MEDIA MESSAGES WAS AVAILABLE.