Family Fun: On the hunt! 1080 1920 Maren Nelson

Family Fun: On the hunt!

Run out of ideas for your kids this summer? Our preschool staff has you covered with a scavenger hunt bingo game! Supplies: Download and print off this bingo card and grab a marker. What to do: Go on a walk around your neighborhood or anywhere you could find these items. Look around carefully and encourage your child…

read more
Gifting Summer Fun 1224 1632 Maren Nelson

Gifting Summer Fun

Two of Way to Grow’s supporters, friends Deb and Mary, asked us what our families needed most. When we responded with educational games, books, children’s socks and underwear, and summer clothing, they truly stepped up. Thank you Deb and Mary for your generosity and for helping to ensure families can learn and grow together this summer.

read more
Children are falling behind: Here’s what we can do. 1200 600 Way to Grow

Children are falling behind: Here’s what we can do.

by Deedee Stevens-Neal, Director of Education The early part of 2020 became a great experiment in virtual learning. Experts predict children could have a four to eight month regression in academic skills, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is worried about the social and emotional effects of distance learning. There is further concern with children…

read more
Showing up for community: Thank You, Slalom! 640 480 Maren Nelson

Showing up for community: Thank You, Slalom!

Way to Grow was pleasantly surprised when Lauren and her team from Slalom reached out to offer feminine products for our families. “We were seeking additional ways to help the Minneapolis/St. Paul area during this time of need, and a fellow female co-worker and myself wanted to organize donations for feminine hygiene products. We know that…

read more
Dear Third Grade Graduate… 3334 1459 Way to Grow

Dear Third Grade Graduate…

Dear Third Grad Graduate, You did it! You graduated from Way to Grow! We are so proud of you. You have worked hard in school, even when school closed and class was on the computer. You worked hard to stay healthy, eat good food, and get exercise. You worked really hard to get better at…

read more
Thank You, Headwaters Relief Organization! 1024 768 Maren Nelson

Thank You, Headwaters Relief Organization!

When the pandemic arose, Headwaters Relief Organization went to work creating a science-informed coloring book to help parents explain to their children what the coronavirus is and why families were quarantining at home together, instead of going to work and school. Their intention was to distribute the coloring books to local charities to increase understanding of the…

read more
Meet our newest Family Educator! 2500 1459 Angelique McDonald

Meet our newest Family Educator!

Meet our newest Family Educator, Courtney! Tell us a little bit about you! I grew up in Inver Grove Heights, MN. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work with a minor in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of North Dakota. This past January I decided to move back to the Twin Cities to…

read more
Living Generously: CARES Act 1562 561 Jessica Waller

Living Generously: CARES Act

If you are feeling the call to help others during challenging times, you are not alone.  In times of need, Minnesotans step up!   Fortunately, Congress is also encouraging our better angels. For 2020, Congress has enacted the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act) to help reduce the financial impact of the pandemic. Included is…

read more
Creating a Virtual Classroom 1200 600 Way to Grow

Creating a Virtual Classroom

By Deedee Stevens-Neal, Director of Education Spring is definitely here and Way to Grow is keeping busy! Read on for an invitation to join our virtual Education is Power event, see children learning and working hard in our new virtual world, learn how we created a virtual classroom, and to get important updates on 2020 giving.…

read more
Snapshots: Virtual Home Visits! 1200 800 Maren Nelson

Snapshots: Virtual Home Visits!

Learning hasn’t stopped at Way to Grow! At recent home visits, kids were learning about Ancient Egypt and animals, they counted cars, and worked on color identification. We’re seeing progress every day. Great job, friends!

read more
Learning at Home: Alphabet Wall Game 150 150 Maren Nelson

Learning at Home: Alphabet Wall Game

This activity comes from one of our Preschool Pals teachers and is a great game for you and your preschooler to play at home together. What You Need: Cards with all the letters of the alphabet (uppercase AND lowercase) A wall you can put tape on in a room with lots of space to run…

read more
Your Community Needs You 1000 584 Melissa Meyer

Your Community Needs You

Our Way to Grow program is needed now more than ever. Schools are closed and parents are educating at home. Families are experiencing sudden unemployment and resource shortages. Accessing timely and necessary information in their home language is a challenge. The stress of this pandemic is adding more weight to the shoulders of families already isolated and trying…

read more
Way to Grow
Accreditations

Parents as Teachers Affiliate
Parent Aware Ratings
NAEYC

Newsletter

© 2025 Way to Grow

Enter your
text here

    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: