Social Innovation Fund
Last year, Twin Cities Strive in partnership with Greater Twin Cities United Way rolled out their Social Innovation Fund grant, dedicated to focus on improving kindergarten readiness, 3rd-grade reading proficiency, 9th-grade readiness for upper-level math, four-year high school graduation, and post-secondary enrollment among low-income students in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area. Twin Cities Strive in partnership with Greater…
read moreTonia: Taking the Torch
Tonia was pregnant with her second child when she was struck with the news that her two-year-old would need extra help if she was to talk before kindergarten. Tonia’s doctor referred Tonia to Way to Grow. The Way to Grow Family Educator began to visit Tonia, working to overcome the numerous barriers she was facing…
read moreDreaming of a White-Sand Christmas?
As Shine 25 and fall grow near, we’re excited to open two of our live auction items for pre-bidding! Place your bid today on a one-week stay at the fabulous Grand Luxxe Loft, Nuevo Vallarta! Each package includes one round (18 holes) of golf and two massages! You and your guest(s) will stay in a three bedroom suite,…
read moreGeneral Mills Foundation – Supporting Partner through 25 Years
Success Story: Laura and Joey
When a Way to Grow family educator first met Laura and Joey, they lived in a studio apartment with a mattress on the floor, a table and two plastic chairs. Joey, nearly 4 years old, did not speak much and was still wearing diapers. His mother, Laura, was pregnant and had diabetes. The family educator…
read moreCooking Matters Class Comes to a Delicious End
In week five of Way to Grow’s six week Cooking Matters class, the group took a trip to Cub Foods. But this was unlike any ordinary trip to the grocery store. The group was posed with a challenge: using $10 or less, buy ingredients for a meal that incorporates all five food groups and feeds…
read moreCarolyn Smallwood to co-chair Mayor Hodges’ Cradle to K Cabinet
Photo by David Joles of the Star Tribune. Mayor Betsy Hodges’ understands the value and importance of high-quality early education, as we learned from one of her major campaign themes of giving more attention to children from birth to kindergarten. In her State of the City address at the American Indian Center on April 24,…
read moreFor parents and providers, MinneMinds pre-K scholarships are working
By: Nicholas Banovetz, Deputy Director, MinnCAN In just shy of two years, more than 80 organizations across Minnesota have convened and formed the MinneMinds campaign to increase access to high-quality early education for Minnesota kids. Following is a brief recap of the campaign’s work and how you can get involved! The building blocks In 2013,…
read moreBreaking ground on the new PALS classroom
We broke ground on our new P.A.L.S. classroom at Urban Ventures in the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center with sponsors, families, friends, staff and – of course – cake on Wednesday, April 9. The Redleaf Family Foundation is funding this new partnership, so Rhoda cut the ribbon with a shiny pair of yellow children’s scissors…
read moreSuccess Story: Amy
Amy was a very shy and quiet child who rarely smiled and never even spoke to her own family. Amy’s mother had recently passed away, and her brother and constant companion had autism. Amy’s father, Dave, knew he needed help with her development. He knew Amy was very behind academically and socially. So he called…
read moreWith a Little Help from our Friends
On Friday afternoon, a group of volunteers helped install our new Preschool PALS location on the campus of Urban Ventures in South Minneapolis. It was tough for everyone not to get distracted by all the fun books and games, but we managed to assemble, sort, and install most everything we’ll need. Thanks especially to the…
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