Meet the Manitos
Maria Lueras - Manitos Founder
Maria Lueras (85 years old).
“The inspiration to start Manitos was because my mother grew up without learning to speak English. Then other people would come to me without speaking English. So I thought, in her memory, I would form this group so that they would have companionship and would not have to be alone.”
Maria Lopez - Manitos Leader
Maria Lopez (71 years old).
“I want people who see this film to realize the importance that this program has for all the elderly. I want them to know that there is a stage of life in which it is important to have this group, to live with them, to recognize each other, to meet new people, to make friends and not think that because I am 71 years old I am going to die, I have nothing to do. There is a lot to do in life, there is a lot to give to people of the same age as well as to our youth.”
Maria and Carlos Landeros - Manitos Members
Maria (77 years old) and Carlos Landeros (84 years old).
“Imagine, if you stay at home, which community? If you live with the people, it is a very important part for us to continue living.”
Portraits of Manitos del Sur at the group's 23rd anniversary celebration - Sam and Bonnie Pannell Community Center in Sacramento, California. August 2023