Meeting Challenges this Season: Nimo’s Story 3334 1459 Way to Grow

Meeting Challenges this Season: Nimo’s Story

Nimo and her family have been working with Way to Grow for over 10 years, with the help of their dedicated and enthusiastic Family Educator, Shamsa. Three of Nimo’s six children have been enrolled in Way to Grow, and Nimo can see the difference between their performance in school and the older children, who were not…

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State of Way to Grow: 2019 Annual Report & 2020 Update 800 350 Way to Grow

State of Way to Grow: 2019 Annual Report & 2020 Update

A letter from our CEO, Carolyn Smallwood 2019 was a big year for Way to Grow. Not only did we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we built a solid foundation for our programming by implementing the Parents as Teachers curriculum, integrating three internal database systems, maintaining our metrics, and expanding the number of schools reached by…

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Living Generously: Helpful tax hints for 2020 gifts 3334 1459 Kim Bowman

Living Generously: Helpful tax hints for 2020 gifts

Now is the perfect time to support Way to Grow’s vision to ensure every child has an opportunity to succeed in school and life – and enjoy extra tax benefits for your generosity.  Taxpayers who don’t itemize gifts on their tax returns can receive up to a $300 tax deduction for 2020 gifts. Taxpayers who do itemize…

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Meeting Challenges This Season 8000 3960 Way to Grow

Meeting Challenges This Season

With the holidays approaching, we are reminded that many families are still in need. In addition to the challenges they face with virtual learning, many families are also dealing with unemployment, food insecurity, and social isolation, all of which have an impact on children’s mental health. A recent study by Save the Children has shown…

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Family Fun: Wax Crayon Resist Art 3334 1459 Way to Grow

Family Fun: Wax Crayon Resist Art

It can be hard to find fun activities to keep kids busy indoors during the cold winter months. Tap into their creativity with this fun snowflake art!  You will need: white wax crayon, white paper, watercolor paint, paint brush, cup of water, salt Step 1:Draw a design on a white piece of paper with a white crayon. (This…

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Give to the Max Day success! 600 600 Maren Nelson

Give to the Max Day success!

Thank you for your contributions to Way to Grow to our Give to the Max Campaign. With your help, we raised over $7,300—with $5,000 of your gifts matched by one of our generous sponsors!  Many families are facing difficult times this year, and our Family Educators are going above and beyond to keep connecting with the…

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A New Face at Preschool Pals 2500 1459 Way to Grow

A New Face at Preschool Pals

Meet our new Preschool Teacher, Melissa! Tell us a little bit about you! I have worked in the Early Childhood field for 27 years. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Early childhood Education. What brings you to Way to Grow? What attracted me to Way to Grow is the organization’s value of connecting the parents…

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Deborah & Patty 600 600 Maren Nelson

Deborah & Patty

Our unique home visit model allows us to work directly with our community’s most isolated children and their families. Over time we see changes not only in children but also in their parents, with greater parent engagement and self-sufficiency. Through education, we tackle the impact of poverty and help families move forward with lasting results. As families grow,…

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Living Generously: Counting our blessings 2560 1707 Kim Bowman

Living Generously: Counting our blessings

As we approach Thanksgiving, please know that Way to Grow is counting its blessings and is extremely thankful for the great support we have received this year. Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented to all of us, Way to Grow continues to serve children and families because we have the support of individuals, foundations, and…

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Way to Grow in the News 1080 400 Way to Grow

Way to Grow in the News

School enrollment has felt the impact of the current pandemic. Way to Grow was recently in the news as part of a larger discussion on school enrollment and the drastic choices families face. In a Star Tribune article from October 19, our CEO Carolyn Smallwood outlines the challenges families face: “Pandemic pushes down Minnesota kindergarten enrollment.”…

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Our newest Family Educator! 2500 1459 Angelique McDonald

Our newest Family Educator!

Tell us a little bit about you! I am a wife of 24 years to an awesome husband. I have three grown and wonderful children, ages 30, 25, and 22 years old. I am also a proud grandmother to two adorable grandchildren, ages 8 and 2 years old. What brings you to Way to Grow?…

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Make your Target run count…again! 1200 630 Melissa Meyer

Make your Target run count…again!

We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us! Now through December 31, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine…

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