Celebrating Way to Grow’s Kindergarten Classhttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Artboard-2.png25081881Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Happy Graduation to our kindergarteners!
Way to Grow is so proud to celebrate and encourage all our students who are starting school this week.
At the end of August, we gathered for our Early Learner Celebration with all of our families and children heading to kindergarten. The event was a wonderful moment to honor the hard work of our parents, caregivers, Family Educators, and of course—our scholars! Alongside Way to Grow’s CEO Carolyn Smallwood, each child bravely walked across the Mall of America® stage to receive their diploma.
After the ceremony, we shared a delicious lunch together, complete with mac and cheese, sliders, cookies, and lemonade. Crayola® provided crayons and coloring sheets for our families, and each family received an exclusive MOA coupon book. Thanks to the generosity of the Ciresi Walburn Foundation, our scholars had the chance to hand-pick a selection of brand new books for their home library, including favorites like The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster, The Sour Grape, and beloved classics like Pete the Cat.
Nichole, Way to Grow’s Manager of Education, shares: “Our Early Learning celebration is a reflection of our commitment to our youngest learners. We’re celebrating the work our families have done to lay the foundation for long-term reading success.”
This celebration highlighted the dedication of Way to Grow families, preschool teachers, and our Family Educators in preparing our children for a bright future. We are so proud of our students and excited for all the great things ahead! To our brand-new kindergarteners: you got this!
Turning Pages, Changing Lives: Celebrating Literacy at Mall of Americahttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Artboard-1.png612458Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Turning Pages, Changing Lives: Celebrating Literacy at Mall of America
Way to Grow’s “Turning Pages, Changing Lives” event, in partnership with the Mall of America Community Foundation, brought nearly 500 people together to celebrate literacy and early education.
The day was filled with things to do: live storytelling, coloring sheets and materials provided by Crayola®, Nickelodeon Universe® character meet-and-greets, and family activities! We heard from local authors, including Sarah Warren, Art Coulson, Nicholas DeShaw, Monica Rojas, Ty Chapman, Arkita Tyner, and Kao Kalia Yang.
Each Way to Grow scholar received a Ciresi Walburn “Reading is My Superpower” bag filled with books, a Nickelodeon Universe® All Day Wristband, a Mall of America® Coupon Book, and a Barnes & Noble Summer Reading List.
Chelsea Delong from Way to Grow shared, “There were so many activities for Way to Grow families and mall guests to participate in. It was heartwarming to see so many Way to Grow kids with bright yellow bags and new books all around the mall.”
The event’s success was made possible by the support of the Mall of America Community Foundation, Picture Book Parade, Barnes & Noble, and the Ciresi Walburn Foundation. This day of fun, learning, and community brought the joy of reading to life!
A message for the Way to Grow communityhttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Artboard-4.png1051776Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Way to Grow’s CEO Carolyn Smallwood to retire in January 2025
A message from Michael Garrett, Chair, Way to Grow Board of Directors
It is with a blend of emotions that I announce, after a remarkable two-decade tenure at Way to Grow, our esteemed leader and cherished colleague Carolyn Smallwood has decided to retire as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 2025.
Carolyn has been instrumental in elevating Way to Grow to a prominent and influential position in the field of early childhood education. She is a respected and tireless advocate for progress, spearheading efforts to remove obstacles to early education by motivating scholars and enabling parents to champion their children’s cause. Carolyn is known for her unwavering integrity, candid and forthright leadership, and her knack for forging robust community partnerships. During her leadership, Way to Grow has assembled a skilled team and developed an operational framework that has garnered respect both locally and nationally.
As Carolyn transitions to the next chapter of her life, she reflects: “Leading this remarkable organization has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. To guide a dedicated team committed to early childhood education and the prosperity of children and families has been deeply fulfilling and a source of immense pride. With the organization’s consistent growth and promising future, now is an opportune moment to introduce a new leader who will preserve the legacy of strength and expansion we’ve envisioned for Way to Grow for the foreseeable future.”
Way to Grow is privileged to have a skilled team of senior leaders dedicated to ensuring the continuity of our vital work. The Board of Directors has established a search committee and secured an executive search firm to partner with us in this significant leadership transition. The search will commence later this month and is expected to culminate by year’s end with the appointment and announcement of a new leader.
While we will miss Carolyn’s active involvement, we are fortunate to have her with us for the remainder of the year to appreciate, cherish, and reflect upon our shared experiences. We are organizing an event to honor and express gratitude to Carolyn for her remarkable service to Way to Grow over the last twenty years.
As we conclude, we extend our best wishes to Carolyn as she embarks on this exciting new chapter of her life. We invite you to join us in celebrating and acknowledging Carolyn for her unwavering commitment, leadership, and devotion to Way to Grow, and to wish her a joyful and fulfilling retirement with her beloved family.
Should you have any comments or inquiries during this transition, please feel free to reach out.
With warm regards, Michael Garrett Chair, Way to Grow Board of Directors
Preschool Pals Update: Summer is here!https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img-4888.jpeg594594Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
An Update from Ms. Gwen
At the beginning of April our classes started a unit on colortheory. The students mixed lots of colors, made sidewalk chalk, created rainbow crayons and worked together to make a classroom mural! Our class read the book “White Rabbit’s Color Book” by Alan Baker to learn more about mixing primary colors. Through hands-on activities like mixing colored water and making side walk chalk, the kids learned what colors make purple, green, orange and brown. The kids favorite activity was making crayons and having a glow in the dark dance party!
This spring we introduced twonewmusicteachers from MacPhail Center for Music to come once a week to sing with our kids, teach them new instruments and engage in fun musical activities.
Our class took time at the beginning of May to celebrate MayDay. We had a picnic in the park, played games, made flower bracelets and decorated vases for our flower bouquets.
Our preschool held a parent–childclass on gardening. Families worked together to plant their own seeds and the kids helped plant in the outdoor garden.
Our unit for the month of May is on plants and gardening.The kids helped teachers put together the new garden bed. They worked to spread out the dirt and water our herb garden. The kids were fascinated with the different shapes, sizes and textures of each seed. They are most looking forward to the fruits and vegetables that our garden with produce this summer!
Celebrating our Third Graders!https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/3rd-Grade-Grad-24-039-scaled.jpg25601706Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Congrats, Third Graders!
Hats off to our third grade class of 2024! This May, Way to Grow honored our third grade graduates at North Mississippi Regional Park. At Way to Grow, we partner with families from before birth through third grade, so we’re wishing our students and families well as they graduate from Way to Grow. This graduation is not a farewell but a “see you soon” to our 8-year-olds.
Our celebration included a picnic lunch, an array of sweet treats, jumbo yard games, and inspiring words from our Family Educators. Gathering with our families reminds us of the hope, joy, and laughter that fill our community every day.
To Way to Grow’s Class of 2024,
Congratulations on your amazing achievement of graduating from third grade! This is a special milestone, and we are all so proud of you. Your hard work, curiosity, and determination have brought you here, and it’s wonderful to see how much you’ve grown and learned.
As you move forward, remember that every step you take is a new adventure. Keep asking questions, exploring new ideas, and always believe in yourself. Your journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see all the incredible things you will achieve.
Enjoy your summer, have fun, and get ready for the exciting challenges ahead. Remember, you have a bright future, and we’re here cheering you on every step of the way.
Education is Power 2024!https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screen-Shot-2024-05-16-at-1.11.53-PM.png40542444Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Last Wednesday, Way to Grow celebrated our annual luncheon at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. To all who attended in person, as well as those who supported us from home: our community says thank you.
There’s an idea about how children learn to read that’s held sway in schools for more than a generation — even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. In this podcast, host Emily Hanford investigates how educators came to believe in something that isn’t true, and are now reckoning with the consequences — children harmed, money wasted, an education system upended.
Listen by clicking the link above, or by searching “Sold a Story” wherever you get your podcasts.
THE SCIENCE OF READING: LEARN MORE
To learn more about the Science of Reading, check out Emily Hanford’s APM Reports reading list.
“I’ve chosen 10 things to recommend. I’ve read hundreds of books and articles since I started getting interested in this topic […] so it was hard to narrow it down. This is by no means a comprehensive list. But it’s a start. Here goes…”
Way to Grow at the MN State Capitol #ACD2024https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WTG-AdvocacyDay-22-scaled.jpg25601707Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Last Monday, Way to Grow had a busy morning at the Minnesota State Capitol! Alongside other education advocates from across the state, Way to Grow families showed up again to support early childhood care and education in the state of Minnesota at Advocacy for Children Day. With the help of Greater Twin Cities United Way, we’re asking legislators to prioritize Minnesota’s youngest children.
This year’s support issue: continuing to expand access to culturally responsive, trauma-sensitive early childcare and early childhood education for all.
At Advocacy for Children Day, we heard from Northside Achievement Zone’s Andre Dukes, featured author Pamela Mercado Michelli, parent speakers, Shannon Smith Jones of Greater Twin Cities United Way, and Way to Grow’s very own Director of Programs, Patricia Wilson.
Thank you to all the Minnesota representatives who shared, listened to our stories, and supported this event, including Mayor Melvin Carter, Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, Rep. Nathan Coulter, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, Senator John Hoffman, Rep. Matt Norris, Representative Patricia Mueller, Senator Erin Maye Quade, and Senator Zach Duckworth.
Here’s how you can help: continue spreading the word about the importance of early childhood education. Support advocacy and engagement work that leads to lasting change, through direct participation or through financial contributions. Be an active participant in your local government and consider writing to your lawmakers and policy leaders. You can find your policymakers using the “Who Represents Me?” tool on Minnesota State Legislature’s website.
Together, we’re creating a bright future for Minnesota’s youngest generation.
We are thankful to work with and alongside our community partners, as well as countless other organizations advocating for early childhood care and education in Minnesota on Advocacy for Children Day: United Way Twin Cities, The Sheltering Arms Foundation, Start Early Funders Coalition, BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota, CARE Fellowship, Child Care Aware of Minnesota, Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota, Generation Next, PICA Head Start, Free Spirit Publishing, YWCA Minneapolis, Initiative Foundation, Joyce Preschool, Kids Count On Us, Little Moments Count, Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children, MNAFEE, MCAA, Minnesota Coalition for Family Home Visiting, MN Prenatal-to-Grade 3 (P3) Initiative, NAZ, New Horizon Academy, Planting People Growing Justice, Before Racism, Rainbow Child Development Center, Take Action MN, Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood, Think Small, West Central Initiative, and Women Venture Twincities.
Meet Daya!https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WTG-Daya-4-edited-scaled.jpg25601921Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
“I look like an alligator!” Declares Daya, striking a pose for the camera, donning her green dress and green eyeshadow. It’s a reflective statement of Daya’s personality: creative, energetic, and outgoing. As we spoke with Way to Grow’s latest Scholar, we saw that vibrant personality in action for this superstar student.
Sonia, Daya’s mother, joined the Way to Grow program nearly six years ago, when her eldest, Jaylah, was six. Sonia is grateful for the support that Way to Grow has continuously provided her family throughout these years, offering the tools to provide an opportunity for her children to succeed in school and life.
When Daya faced difficulties with reading, her Way to Grow Family Educator, Amanda, created customized and engaging tactile activities for Daya that best suited her learning style. The combination of specialized home visits and attending after-school reading support put her on a path to success.
“Amanda’s been great,” says Sonia. “Home visits have been good because they do activities besides reading, allowing her to move and interact with materials.”
Today, Daya’s a stellar bilingual student naturally inclined to help others. Sonia proudly shares that Daya was a huge help to her teachers in 1st grade by offering to translate instructions to other classmates who speak Spanish! Daya is proud of her accomplishments and continues to grow as a reader.
From struggling to know her letters to reading books and becoming a pillar of support for her classmates—all it took was a little extra support from Way to Grow to bring out Daya’s full potential.
Go Daya! We cannot wait to see what your future holds!
Way to Grow Book Drive in honor of MLK Dayhttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-18-at-3.09.54 PM.png25481442Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Thanks to our friends at KARE11 for sharing this book drive as a way to give back during the month of January! Special thanks to HandsOn Twin Cities and General Mills for helping us collect books for our kiddos—we love seeing the deliveries roll in. You can read the article here!
Check out the book drive and donate your favorite to a Way to Grow family now through January 31!
UCare Foundation awards grants to ensure a healthier new year for youth across Minnesotahttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/UCare_Logo_Boxed.png25001407Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Way to Grow is thrilled to be one of 12 organizations to receive a UCare Foundation grant to support our work with infants and expecting parents in 2024! With this funding, we will be able to help even more families navigate their new lives as parents, and support the health and development of our youngest community members. Thank you, UCare Foundation!
More than $400,000 provided to initiatives addressing mental health, infant health and dental care
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 11, 2024 ─ The UCare Foundation is improving health outcomes for newborns and youth of all ages through grants to 12 community organizations serving diverse populations in urban and rural regions of the state. Individual grants range from $6,500 to $50,000.
UCare always steps up where need is greatest. The 2022 Minnesota Student Survey shows unprecedented numbers of young people struggling with their mental health. In 2021, Children’s Minnesota reported a 30% rise in children contemplating suicide. In response, a significant number of the Foundation grants are directed to improve access to mental health services for young people including neurodiverse, LGBTQIA+ and youth with complex needs.
Other grants support the health and safety of vulnerable newborns and access to dental care for youth and families. “Many young Minnesotans suffered mental health setbacks during the pandemic, and through these UCare Foundation grants, we are giving them a fresh start and better outlook in 2024,” says Tenbit Emiru, MD, MBA, PhD, UCare Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “The range of infant and youth programs funded by UCare have strong potential to address health disparities for Minnesota’s diverse populations – starting at birth.”
Snapshot of UCare-sponsored programs across Minnesota
Mental health
Change the Outcome, an opioid impact awareness initiative for young people in middle schools and high schools throughout Minnesota. UCare’s grant supports educational content to increase understanding of substance use disorder, fentanyl, xylazine and pressed pills – while counteracting stigma, shame and judgment.
Connection to IndependenceCircle of Support individual and group therapy for foster youth who need additional support for mental health challenges and multiple diagnoses – a partnership with Kente Circle.
CornerHouse Rapid Response to Trauma project providing mental health care to children who have experienced abuse. Funding will support the use of a trauma screening tool to identify the severity of trauma and Accelerated Resolution Therapy, an evidence-based therapy that can be effective in just a few sessions.
Franklin CenterOpen the Door – a culturally responsive initiative aimed at providing behavior therapy to neurodiverse children in the Somali community.
Nexus Family Healing resources for a new Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility that will address unmet mental health needs of youth in Minnesota. UCare funding enables the purchase of sensory items, recreational equipment, games and art supplies in addition to covering the costs of trauma-informed training and resources.
RECLAIM mental health care for queer and trans youth in Greater Minnesota. This pilot project will fund the hiring of local therapists to expand access to affirming mental health care where resources do not currently exist.
Infant health
Life ConnectionsCommunity Connections: Safe from the Start, a partnership with public health staff and other community agencies to provide families in Central Minnesota with formula, safe sleep and travel equipment/education. Some of these counties rank among the poorest in the state.
New BeginningsSafe Sleep Program to help reduce the number of infant deaths due to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Parents or primary caregivers participate in free education, and receive a safe crib and sleep sacks, as well as personal support and follow up.
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) support of 1,079 first-time birthing individuals/families experiencing significant economic and racial inequality across 32 counties and two Tribal Nations in Minnesota. The funding benefits nursing quality, education and practice for 50 NFP nurses providing preventive health care for infants to age 2.
Proof AllianceOur Children are Sacred program to reduce the impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol in Indian Country. Funds go to leveraging the wisdom of tribal leaders and elders and building on the success of current and past programs.
Way to GrowGreat by Eight program supporting children ages 0-8 from 600 of the most disadvantaged families in Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs. Great by Eight includes home visits, health screenings and health education to improve birth weights and vaccination rates.
Dental care
Children’s Dental Services expanding culturally targeted, comprehensive oral health care and education to 1,500 Native American and Asian community members across Minnesota, specifically for children, young adults, pregnant women and family members.
About UCare
UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan providing health care and administrative services to more than 640,000 members throughout Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin. UCare partners with health care providers, counties, and community organizations to create and deliver Medicare, Medicaid and Individual & Family health plans. The health plan addresses health care disparities and care access issues through a broad array of community initiatives. UCare has received Top Workplaces honors from the Star Tribune for 14 consecutive years since the rankings began in 2010.
About the UCare Foundation
Since 1998, the UCare Foundation has improved the lives of UCare members and their communities through grants that address urgent community health needs. We focus grant-making on initiatives that improve the health of underserved individuals across Minnesota. The UCare Foundation funds high-impact services, education, community outreach and research addressing health equity, social drivers and access barriers.
