MANARC
VA. ORGANIZING turns 2o
bourne the battle
by a.e.bayne
By Dawn Whitmore
Members of VA. Organizing in front of a new mural, depicting African American historical figures, at the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisor's chamber Virginia Organizing, a statewide grassroots organization devoted to empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives, is celebrating its th 20 anniversary this year. Since 1995, Virginia Organizing has encouraged the participation of marginalized peoples in the democratic process, building relationships between diverse groups of individuals to assist them in joining their fellow citizens in healthy, democratic exchange. Member Duane Edwards says the foremost importance of Virginia Organizing is that it connects people with their elected officials. He says, “People go out and vote, but they don’t know the process of how to contact their elected officials once the vote is done, or they feel they don’t have the time to do it. Even something as simple as getting a pothole fixed on your street can be difficult when you don’t know how to do it. There’s a process that allows us to get those potholes fixed, but a lot of people just sit in front of their house complaining to their neighbors about the pothole. That’s one thing I’ve been able to pass on to other people, how to contact the officials who can make changes.” Edwards also notes that Virginia Organizing mobilizes people to tell their stories to the politicians who represent them. He explains, “A lot of organizations take the stories to the politicians for the people, but Virginia Organizing gives you back your voice. Edwards relates a time when Fredericksburg Area Organizer, Addie Alexander, offered him time to speak his mind: “I was planning to work at a Restoration of Rights workshop recently and Addie asked me if I wanted to attend the upcoming meeting. I thought I was just going to sit in and listen, but she said, ‘Duane Edwards has something he wants
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to say.’ That was new to me, because I had an opportunity to tell my story in my own voice. It was empowering.” Member Dakota Ziegler has been impressed with the equalizing effects that community building has had on the groups with whom he’s worked. He says it can sometime be as simple as sitting down with people and asking them what’s going on in their lives to find out what can be done to help. He explains, “Suddenly, we don’t feel so disconnected anymore, and we see that we’re all striving for this larger sense of community. Virginia Organizing has bridged some of those separations between different members of the community and has helped us to recognize that we can all help each other and bring something different to the table.” Ziegler has witnessed some positive changes in his time with Virginia Organizing, but he says grassroots work can be “a slow-moving type of organism.” He sees one of the most significant impacts of the work they do to be the restoration of a sense of self-worth in all members. He says, “Self-worth is so much greater when we recognize that we matter and we are important. Some people have been taught directly and indirectly that perhaps they do not matter; thoughtful listening and learning how to enact change together restores self-worth.” Edwards muses, “Virginia’s my home; my family lives here. Any time you have a community that is more knowledgeable in the democratic process, the whole community is better. Virginia Organizing has taught me ways to make my home better.” Look for Building Power, Changing Lives: The Story of Virginia Organizing, a book published to commemorate the organization’s first 20 years, on sale in October 2015.
Front porch fredericksburg
Manarc, located on William Street celebrated their one-year anniversary this year. The thrift shop, located at 107 William Street, is a quick walk from the public parking lot on Sophia Street. However, even if you must park and walk for blocks, Deborah Franks (photo) and her staff are worth it! The concept of Manarc, on the surface, is a simple one: a thrift store who donates a portion of their profits to veteran organizations. Yet, once you spend time with Deborah Franks, the CEO of Manarc, it quickly becomes evident; the thrift shop can only be described as the proverbial ‘tip of the iceberg.’ Frank’s love and dedication for veterans and her community are indisputable and genuine. Franks is a Spotsylvania native and Navy brat, whose Father served in the Korean War. Franks, a Spotsylvania native, spent 8 ½ years as Director of Home Instead; she felt a definite lack of care for our veterans. Franks response to the
dilemma would be resigning from Home Instead and creating a business plan. A business plan, which would include a thrift shop to assist local veteran organizations, Manarc: Borne the Battle opened on Caroline Street on August 29th, 2014. The subsequent move to William Street from the Caroline Street location would happen during the winter months, not the most opportune time to relocate but a necessary one…the community Manarc loves and supports stepped up to the challenge. “The store would be packed up and moved in two weeks and the new location set up in two days,” explains Franks, “thanks to our local veterans and community.” Moving a new non-profit business
is scary, especially, during one of the retail industry’s notorious slowest months of the year, January. “January would become a wonderful month for the thrift store,” Franks states, “because we were the only place downtown open when it snowed, we were selling furniture in January.” Manarc furthers the building of community by partnering with a local business each month. The concept is not overly complicated or earth shattering but the benefits definitely can be. The partnering business and Manarc decide on an event, September’s event, the Mug Club included Spencer Devon Brewing and Liberty Town Arts with a portion of proceeds benefitting Veterans Moving Forward. Veterans Moving Forward, Semper Fi and a local VFW Peer-tto-P Peer support group are the current local
veteran groups Manarc is blessing with their profits. Manarc doesn’t believe in exorbitant overhead. Two part-time employees run the store and Franks can be found there often. During this first year, Franks could be found at the store seven days a week. During this next year, she plans to have a rare day off. With her vision for Manarc, it will definitely be a rare day off. She has no aspirations for franchising but does have a future vision of 5 Manarc thrift stores, with a home base in Fredericksburg. “It is not about being successful but about giving,” states Franks, “however, it will always be important to stay local.” Oh yeah, one last thing in case you wondering…. Manarc is an acronym: Marines Air Force Navy ArmyReserves Coast Guard. And, Inscription under boots: reads “...from a father hero. We thank him for his service for our freedom”. Dawn Whitmore is a landscape photographer and writer who lives in Spotsylvania.
front porch fredericksburg
October 2015
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