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Creating Lasting Bonds 1449 948 Chelsea DeLong

Creating Lasting Bonds

On his first day of preschool, Daniel could barely speak a word. A nervous child and unsure of his surroundings, Daniel didn’t play or interact with any of the other children. His only method of communication was guiding his teacher to what he needed, and often he would burst with frustration. “Imagine being in a…

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Thank you, Shine Supporters! 1251 834 Chelsea DeLong

Thank you, Shine Supporters!

This past Saturday night, something magical happened. Our supporters, sponsors, table hosts, staff, and board of directors all helped make our 2018 Shine Celebration such a memorable experience.  Whether it was singing, testimonies, or our new Way to Grow videos we debuted – it all came together in the name of early education and the…

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People to Look Up To 2560 1708 Chelsea DeLong

People to Look Up To

Many a day for the past nine years, a little white bus has rumbled through the streets of Minneapolis carrying precious cargo to and from preschool. Billowing with energy and enthusiasm, the man behind the wheel is more than a bus driver—he is a caretaker, a friend, and a role model to each and every…

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Immigration, Loss, & Trauma 2500 834 Way to Grow

Immigration, Loss, & Trauma

by Lori A. Harris, LSW, MSW in partnership with Way to Grow and Mom Enough Perhaps your family immigration experience was a relatively easy journey, one supported by ample resources and an established, welcoming community. Life in your family’s country of origin may have presented minor challenges or you have immigrated for opportunity, education, or…

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Inspiring Opportunity and Building Legacy 2560 1700 Chelsea DeLong

Inspiring Opportunity and Building Legacy

Always driven and confident in her abilities, Mina graduated high school in 2010, ready to continue her schooling. However, a year later she found it difficult to balance her new motherhood with her education, so she put school on hold to raise her young son, Itachi. Early on, Mina discovered that Itachi was struggling with…

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Building Confidence 1449 948 Chelsea DeLong

Building Confidence

“I couldn’t sit and do nothing,” explains Deborah as her daughter Patty plays around her. Patty, a rambunctious eight year-old, was born with a genetic abnormality that affects her ability to communicate and concentrate. “She struggles with learning, but she has such a high level of empathy,” says Collette, their Way to Grow Family Educator.…

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Empowerment, Independence 1449 948 Chelsea DeLong

Empowerment, Independence

With a desire for a better life, Siham* moved her family to America. But life didn’t get better, it got worse, at least at first. Siham became aware of the developmental difficulties of her three-year-old identical twin daughters, Aliyah and Samiirah, when she brought them to their yearly checkup. The doctor noticed that the girls…

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Access to Resources, Connection to Culture 2560 1700 Chelsea DeLong

Access to Resources, Connection to Culture

Shared culture creates a bond that transcends everyday interactions, as culture resides in the heart and soul. This kind of deep connection can be found between Sydney and her family, and their Family Educator, Alison. Native American tradition and identity have always been important to Sydney and her husband. In fact, it’s what brought them…

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Education as a Foundation 1800 1200 Chelsea DeLong

Education as a Foundation

Regina, Ju’vane, and their six children have been a part of Way to Grow for more than a decade due to a promise Ju’Vane made his mother. “In 2007, before my mom passed away, I promised her that I would change my life for the better. I moved to Minneapolis and joined the FATHER Project…

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Way to Grow is at Sommerfest! 2560 1920 Maren Nelson

Way to Grow is at Sommerfest!

Way to Grow is excited to announce our participation in the Minnesota Orchestra’s summer concert series, Sommerfest. Celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday, Sommerfest “explores musical expressions of peace, freedom and reconciliation in a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s Centenary.” It is in the spirit of ubuntu, or “I am because we are,” Way to Grow and…

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A Snapshot of our Preschools this Year 2560 1707 Chelsea DeLong

A Snapshot of our Preschools this Year

From a pajama- piñata party to food bazaars, from balloon parties to buildings, our preschoolers have expanded their minds and horizons all while exploring their imaginations. While these moments are now memories, and some of these children are graduates, we wanted to take a trip down memory lane and share with you a few wonderful…

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Celebrating our Graduates! 960 640 Chelsea DeLong

Celebrating our Graduates!

It was a day full of pride and joy on July 15th as Way to Grow held our 2018 Early Learning and Third Grade Graduation at Urban Ventures in South Minneapolis. 30 staff members, 12 community volunteers, and hundreds of family members celebrated our graduates through a late-afternoon program that involved an activity and social…

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