Helping families from birth to third grade.
For over 30 years, Way to Grow has provided free, year-round family support and educational programming for families in Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs.
Through virtual and in-person home visits, our team of Family Educators build trusted relationships with parents and children, working language-to-language whenever possible to create a customized learning plan that celebrates the entire family.
Our Mission
Working closely with parents and communities, we ensure that children are born healthy, stay healthy, and are prepared for school.
Our Vision
Together we will ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and life.
Home & Family
Support that fits each family’s individual needs.
From helping parents achieve their personal goals to modeling ways to learn at home, our highly trained team of Family Educators customize every home visit to meet the unique needs of each family.
Family Educators work language-to-language with families to provide access to resources that address housing, employment, early education, health services, and more.
Pregnancy Support
Partnering with families throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Using our specialized curriculum, we provide education during all three trimesters of pregnancy, reviewing the stages of prenatal development so parents know what to expect and feel empowered in their journey.
The support continues through birth and into childhood. During home visits, Family Educators model techniques for playing and learning, providing a space for parents to ask questions and receive personalized support. This individual support is crucial for new and experienced parents alike: when families better understand pregnancy, birth, and the ways a child will change their lives, they are providing their child with the strongest start possible!
Great by 8: Early Education
Early education is a game changer.
By starting early, we set children up for a lifetime of success. During home visits, Family Educators model techniques for playing and learning, providing parents with a trustworthy source of personalized information. We partner with families to teach them about how to support growth at home.
Family Educators walk parents through preschool and kindergarten enrollment, from child screenings to school selection! We work to ensure that families feel empowered to make the best choices for their children.
Great by 8: Elementary Education
Building a network of support for each child.
Family Educators connect parents with teachers and administrators to build a network of support for each child. At home, we help families set up schedules and set expectations, making sure students have what they need to learn and grow. We also provide academic support for children in all areas of schooling: including literacy and STEM!
It can be difficult to navigate questions, complicated systems, and major changes at home. Our elementary program works with families with children ages 5–8 to help guide them through this new stage of family life!
Health & Wellness
Creating a safe and healthy environment for every family.
Through our Growing Strong program, we work with families in the home, teaching parents about the importance of holistic health and child safety.
Our curriculum is deeply personalized and fine-tuned for each unique family situation. Family Educators act as guides, teaching essentials for family wellness, including prenatal care, nutrition, safe sleep practices, home safety checks, and building healthy habits.
Healthcare can be daunting, and we’re here to help families navigate the healthcare system: from immunizations to booking well-child checkups, our goal is to ensure all children are healthy and prepared to learn! We parter with numerous community organizations to find close, affordable healthcare.
Preschool Pals
Way to Grow operates a high-quality, center-based preschool.
Our preschool uses programming that is centered around the unique interests of the preschool class! Our staff uses developmentally appropriate and evidence-based practices to engage students and develop key learning skills.
Parental involvement is a vital part of our preschool programming, and we aim to foster a positive relationship between family and school! Unique from other early learning programs, our preschool offers monthly parent-child classes and field trips.
The families of all children enrolled in Preschool Pals are also enrolled in our Great by Eight programming, and receive regular home visits by certified Way to Grow Family Educators.
Our Impact in 2023:
Resource Referrals
Home Visits
People Served
Resource Referrals
Home Visits
People Served
Way to Grow is always there
Like the rest of the world, in 2020 Way to Grow moved our services online to continue to reach families. Since then, we’ve made it an important part of our programming. Whether someone is ill in the household or scheduling is a challenge, our virtual visits allow Family Educators to connect with families more than ever before.
Even in the best of times, raising a child is hard work. Through uncertain moments, we’ve helped families overcome the challenges of language barriers, unemployment, lack of food, physical and mental health obstacles, and beyond.
When the need is greatest, Way to Grow is there.
