Rethinking Pre-K Funding and Quality 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Rethinking Pre-K Funding and Quality

Recently, New America, a non-partisan think tank from Washington, DC hosted a public forum in Minneapolis to discuss the state of our statewide education system. With help from the McKnight Foundation and others, New America conducted a study, outlined in Building Strong Readers in Minnesota report, to find out what supports are needed to foster literacy development…

read more
The Shine Celebration Live Auction Preview 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

The Shine Celebration Live Auction Preview

The annual Way to Grow Shine Celebration is just weeks away and thanks to our generous donors, we’ve got some great items up for grabs!  There’s only one place you can get them, and that’s live at The Shine Celebration October 23.  So come on out for a night under the stars and toast to creating bright…

read more
Guest Blog: Books to Grow – My Volunteer Story 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Guest Blog: Books to Grow – My Volunteer Story

It is easy for all of us to talk about how we love children – those cute little faces are irresistible. But it is also easy to forget that so many children do not live the carefree, happy lives they deserve because their parents are stressed or struggling. I support Way to Grow because it…

read more
Home Language Proficiency as a Resource 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Home Language Proficiency as a Resource

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Way to Grow participants speak a primary language other than English in the home. In Minneapolis Public Schools overall, twenty-five percent (25%) of students are English Learners[1]. Native language skills, though often overlooked as an educational resource, are just as important to foster as ever. Growing evidence supports that strong home…

read more
Living United – Action Day 2015 provides 500 backpacks for Way to Grow children 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Living United – Action Day 2015 provides 500 backpacks for Way to Grow children

Throughout the Twin Cities, volunteers gathered over lunch hour, taking part in the fifth annual Greater Twin Cities United Way Action Day with the goal of helping students (pre-K to college-bound) get on the right track to school success. Volunteers – including Way to Grow families and staff – joined in the fun, assembling back-to-school kits for children in need.…

read more
Not to Miss: 5 Children’s Books to Read this Summer 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Not to Miss: 5 Children’s Books to Read this Summer

With the final weeks of summer upon us, these children’s books are sure to keep your child’s interest in reading through to the first day of school and beyond. Our not-to-miss list includes books addressing cultural and linguistic diversity while including social experiences and events of daily life easy for kids to relate to. Featuring…

read more
Now Recruiting Minnesota Reading Corps Literacy Tutors 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Now Recruiting Minnesota Reading Corps Literacy Tutors

Would you love to help children grow their reading skills, succeed in school and get extra support? If your answer is yes, you can be trained to serve as a tutor with Minnesota Reading Corps at Way to Grow. Whether you want to explore an educational career, reenter the workforce, or give back to your community,…

read more
Hey Twins Fans! 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Hey Twins Fans!

Ever dreamed of throwing out the first pitch at a Twins game? Here’s your chance! United Way is fielding an all-star team of 100,000 volunteers this year to strike out poverty in this community. Get off the bench and volunteer! Sign up online between July 7-16 and you could win the chance to throw out…

read more
A Note to My Family Educator 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

A Note to My Family Educator

We received the following note from a recent graduate of our program and we couldn’t help but share!  Without a doubt, we have some of the best staff on the planet out there not only empowering parents and educating children, but truly becoming part of the families they work with. Hello, Today I am going to…

read more
What the Education Bill Promises the State’s Earliest Learners 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

What the Education Bill Promises the State’s Earliest Learners

After much debate, Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature have passed the Education Bill with hopes of narrowing Minnesota’s achievement gap and ensuring all children receive the best education possible. The bill includes enacting free all-day Kindergarten, expanding access to early learning opportunities, and increasing funding for K-12 schools. Though the final bill does not…

read more
Honoring Dad 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Honoring Dad

Having recently celebrated Father’s Day, we couldn’t help but highlight the role of all the wonderful dads we see at Way to Grow. Social sciences have been examining the crucial role that fathers play in child development, family dynamics, and the overall well-being of their children for decades. Yet, one common stereotype persists: the notion…

read more
Social Impact Project Launches in Minneapolis 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

Social Impact Project Launches in Minneapolis

A group of next generation philanthropists has come together to launch The New Impact Fund, a social impact project. We are excited to announce that Way to Grow is one of four family and childhood-focused programs included in the first round of social investments. “At Way to Grow, we’ve seen the lasting impact of developing…

read more

    Your Name (required)

    Address

    City

    Zip

    Your Email (required)

    Phone

    Preferred contact method:

    EmailPhoneEither

    Available days:
    SunMonTuesWedsThursFriSat

    Time of day available:
    MorningAfternoonEvenings

    Services interested in:
    preschoolspecial projectsteen parentsadministrativeeventsother

    Opportunity interested in:

    Language(s) Spoken besides English:
    AmharicArabicHmongOromoSomaliSpanish

    Other languages spoken:

    Emergency contact (name, phone, relationship):

    Volunteer agreement (required):

    I understand that during the course of my volunteering at Way to Grow, I may come in contact with information that is deemed confidential. This includes, but is not limited to, personal information about Way to Grow participants. I understand that Way to Grow is required by law to keep this information confidential, and I will treat all information I come across as such unless I am told otherwise.

    I understand and agree that I am volunteering for Way to Grow at my own risk and request. I also give permission for the free use of my name, picture and voice in any broadcast, telecast, print account or any other account in any medium of the event being recorded.

    I Accept

    Additional Message: