Guest Blog: Advocacy for Children Day 2026
By Chelsea DeLong, Way to Grow’s Development Coordinator
More than 200 advocates filled the People’s House on March 25th, united behind one essential cause: Minnesota’s children.
Each year, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Way to Grow, and many community partners come together at the Minnesota State Capitol for Advocacy for Children Day — an opportunity to stand #AllInForOurKids and lift up Minnesota’s youngest learners.
Every spring, in rain, snow, or sunshine, advocates gather in St. Paul for this powerful “Day on the Hill.” They speak directly with lawmakers about the importance of early learning, family support, and equitable access to high-quality early childhood education.
A Powerful Room of Advocates
This year’s coalition, led by Greater Twin Cities United Way, brought together partners including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Child Care Aware of Minnesota, Creative Kuponya, Education Partnerships Coalition of Minnesota, FamilyWise, Little Moments Count, Momentum Advocacy, the Minnesota Coalition for Family Home Visiting, New Horizon Academy, Northside Achievement Zone, Osseo Area Schools, Think Small, Way to Grow, and YMCA of the North.
Together, they filled the Capitol rotunda with energy, purpose, and yellow Way to Grow shirts. Signs were held high. The commitment to Minnesota’s children was visible everywhere you looked.
In a two-hour rally, speakers took to the podium to share stories, data, and lived experience. Their message reflected the urgency of investing in early childhood — and it was clear from the first speaker to the last.
Speakers included Karla Smith (NAZ), Sara Stamschror-Lott (Creative Kuponya), Corinne Martin (Parent Advocate), John Fanning (EPC), Stephannie Lewis (GTCUW), and Legislators Senator Jim Abeler and Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn. Way to Grow’s own Patricia Wilson, Director of Programs, also took the podium, delivering a powerful message about persistence and urgency.
“I’ve been saying for 35 years that we need to invest in our children and families,” she said, looking across fellow advocates gathered in the rotunda. “I don’t want to be up here 30 years later saying the same thing.”
Her words echoed a sentiment shared throughout the day: Minnesota’s children cannot wait.
Why We Gather
Advocacy for Children Day is more than a rally. It is a direct connection between families, community organizations, and policymakers.
For Way to Grow, this moment aligns deeply with our mission. Our Family Educators work alongside families from prenatal stages through age 8, helping children build strong foundations for school and life — while supporting parents as their child’s first and most important teacher.
Advocacy is a key part of that foundation. When families learn how to share their voices, engage with systems, and participate in civic spaces, they gain tools that extend far beyond a single day at the Capitol.
By showing up at events like Advocacy for Children Day, we demonstrate the collective power of our community. We also remind lawmakers what their constituents are asking for: strong, accessible, and affordable early childhood systems for all Minnesota families.
Inside the Capitol Experience
Throughout the rally, advocates filled the rotunda through cheering, holding signs, and connecting across the early childhood landscape. Every speaker offered their perspective and desire for Minnesota to go #AllInForOurKids — for children, parents, and early childhood educators alike.
From speaker to speaker, the message held. Patricia Wilson captured it directly: “Together, by working collaboratively and advocating intentionally, we can create stronger foundations for children, families, and our communities.”
After the main program, participants were invited to continue engagement activities throughout the Capitol. In the Vault beneath the rotunda, attendees could write and send messages directly to legislators. Thanks to coordination from Greater Twin Cities United Way, letter writing was made simple — with prewritten letters, a QR code to scan and sign, and postage for physical mail. The result: our message extends well beyond March 25th.
Nearby, the “Messages of Hope” tables offered a creative space for reflection. With markers, stickers, and art supplies, participants of all ages wrote messages of hope and encouragement for children, parents, and early childhood educators across Minnesota.
In the midst of a busy Capitol, these moments offered something grounding: a reminder that advocacy takes many forms — spoken, written, and built through connection.
A Different Kind of Year
While Advocacy for Children Day is typically a vibrant, intergenerational event — including many early childhood programs and school field trips — this year’s gathering looked different.
Due to safety considerations related to Operation Metro Surge and increased concerns around federal immigration enforcement, families and children were not present in the Capitol rotunda as they had been in previous years. That absence was deeply felt. The decision prioritized the safety and comfort of children and families. Still, it underscored what was missing: the opportunity for children to experience their State Capitol firsthand, and to see themselves as part of the civic process.
“At Way to Grow, we believe families are their child’s first and most important teacher and advocate,” says Patricia. “By building advocacy skills, we empower parents to speak up for their children in schools, healthcare settings, and the broader community. This not only helps their own child succeed — it also strengthens the entire system by ensuring that family voices are heard and valued. Advocacy builds confidence, independence, and long-term success for families.”
Despite the absence of children and families, advocates showed up and raised their voices — from the Vault to the very top of the rotunda. We rallied our collective voices for those who could not be there, from the metro to every corner of the state.
Moving Forward Together
“As providers and advocates, we all have a role to play,” says Patricia. “We can support children by continuing to invest in programs that strengthen the entire family — not just the child. This includes advocating for legislators to fund early learning programs, support workforce development, and invest in community-based services. We can also strengthen partnerships, share resources, and ensure that families have access to the tools they need to succeed.”
Together, alongside our partners, Way to Grow remains #AllInForOurKids — not just on Advocacy for Children Day, but every day.
To learn more about how Way to Grow supports families from pregnancy through third grade, visit waytogrow.org/services. Families ready to connect with a Family Educator can enroll here.
