Eric Manjarrez

Eric Manjarrez has been a part of Corazón Community Services for nearly five years, most recently as a Teen Reach Coordinator. He provides support and acts as a role model to the youth in the Fuerza and Teen REACH community. Some of his roles include being a mentor, implementing rules, and modeling positive behaviors. He often facilitates activities such as S.T.E.M, peace circles, team building, and emotional development, as well as encouraging participation in activities and developing positive, healthy social interactions. In addition to this role, he has been involved in several of Corazón’s events including Peace Movements, marches to Break the Violence, and community gatherings.

Currently, he is a senior in college at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is pursuing a major in architecturcual studies. Before attending UIC, Eric was a student at Morton College, where he graduated with an associate degree in science. With his major, his dreams are to one day give back to his community and local church by helping expand and develop youth and recreational centers.

Eric has been involved in working with youth since the age of 14. Most of his experience comes from being an active member of his church, Vida Abundante, where he is a musician, production team member, and also a youth leader in his youth group, Vida Youth. He attends planning and team meetings on a regular basis to come up with events, activities, and outings for youth. He helps in other projects such as designing and production. He provides young people within the age range of 11-18 with an opportunity to get together to explore and grow in the Christian faith. He enables the growth and development of young people, so they become capable of taking responsibility for themselves, recognizing the needs of others, and taking the first step to grow in leadership.

He devotes his life and invests his time in the lives of youth to build them up in order for them to become young leaders. His passion for helping others has allowed him to impact the lives of the people around him and be a support system for those who are in need of any help. He aims towards helping people succeed and become the best version of themselves along the way.