In this interview, Cynthia Manuel, executive director of Heavenly Cynt Youth Org, explains the organization’s mission to empower youth through mentorship, literacy, life skills, sports, and positive community connections, rooted in her brother’s 1998 death from street violence and her desire to protect and expand opportunities for youth in Chicago’s North Lawndale.
She describes using exposure as a key tool: taking kids outside their neighborhoods, running mentoring programs since 2016, and creating unique experiences like horse care, gardening, and career tours that helped one youth pursue phlebotomy.
Cynthia also discusses addressing desensitization to violence, rebuilding youth perceptions of police through relationship-building activities, and plans for a funded community center and trade-focused programming.
She promotes her anti-bullying children’s book, “Cindy the Cowgirl Teaches Kindness,” and requests volunteers, donations, partnerships, and support for monthly literacy and CPR events.
Sponsor Inquiry: https://calendly.com/gtzp/gtzp-impact-alignment/
Guest Intro Call: https://calendly.com/gtzp/intro-meeting
Timestamps:
00:15 Mission of Heavenly Cynt
00:36 The Why Behind It
01:58 North Lawndale Reality
03:04 Horses and New Horizons
04:52 Cindy Cowgirl Book
06:18 Desensitized to Violence
09:10 Mentorship and Alumni
10:42 Exposure Builds Trust
13:58 Success Stories and Police
16:18 What Keeps Her Going
17:31 Next Decade Vision
20:53 Life Skills Curriculum
21:52 Measure Impact and Support
23:53 Kindness Pledge Closing
Connect with Cynthia Manuel Social:
https://www.instagram.com/heavenly.cynt/
https://www.instagram.com/heavenly_cynt_youth_org/
https://mzcynthia59.wixsite.com/heavenlycyntyouthinc
Connect with GTZP:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gtzp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterthanzeropercent/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greaterthanzeropercent/
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