In native and Polynesian spirituality there is the belief of Mana. Mana is a powerful force of personal energy cultivated through the deeds of an individual and can be lost or gained through a person’s actions. In contemporary New Zealand English, the word "mana", taken from the Māori, refers to a person or organisation of people of great personal prestige and character.

How does this apply to a Youth Service Organization? The idea for this organization and the name MANA came from the belief that by doing good deeds, a young person can foster constant positive change in not only themselves, but to breathe that Mana into the community they live in and pass it down to the next generations to come.