Success Stories

 Profile Way to Grow families/children and their accomplishments

Making a Difference

Making a Difference 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

JaquelineMeet Jacqueline.  We hope to make Jacqueline’s holiday brighter by raising $2,500; enough to cover one full year of home visits and comprehensive programming with Way to Grow.  Jacqueline’s parents are from Togo, a small, tropical sub-Saharan country in West Africa. Edoh, Jacqueline’s mother has a goal for her children that many of us share. “Our educational goal for our daughter,” she says, “is that she will choose a career that makes her happy.” Jacqueline beams as she tells us, “I want to be a doctor so I can check my mom’s heart, teeth, ears, and mouth to be sure she is healthy.”

Jacqueline passed the school readiness assessment this past spring joining the 88% of Way to Grow children deemed ready for kindergarten! She participated in our Early Learning graduation ceremony this summer, lighting up her white cap and gown! Now in kindergarten, she is very excited to finally attend the same school as her big sister, Grace.  Grace has told Jacqueline so many fun and exciting stories about Bancroft Community School that she could hardly wait for it to begin this fall!

Jacqueline’s parents tell us they love Way to Grow for, “The way they teach. They come into my home and educate the whole family. They are flexible and are available to come when I am not at work, even if that is a Saturday morning.”  Sponsor Jacqueline as part of our My Scholar initiative this holiday season, and give one child the one gift that can never be taken back.

We cannot thank you enough for your support .
Together, we will make a difference!

Tonia: Taking the Torch

Tonia: Taking the Torch 150 150 Ivy Marsnik

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 as a single mother. Tonia was connected to housing, clothing, food shelves and preschool resources. Once her family’s basic needs were met, Tonia shared one of her greatest goals: to be the first person in her family to graduate from college. At the time, it seemed impossible. However, anyone who meets Tonia can attest to her strong will, sharp wit and determination.  Minneapolis Community and Technical College proved a perfect match.  Tonia thrived and soon her once lofty goals became a reality as she earned her Associate degree. Tonia moved on to find a place to call her own and in rewriting her own story, created a brighter future for her children.

Fifteen years later, Tonia returned to Way to Grow to guide and support families like her own.  “My story is no different from the families we help today. I decided to take the help and support, and turn it into something beneficial for my family. I wanted to change my circumstance, but didn’t know how until a Way to Grow Family Educator showed me.”

Success Story: Laura and Joey

Success Story: Laura and Joey 150 150 Way to Grow

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 immediately assessed the needs of the family and identified that Joey needed to be screened for developmental delays. The screenings identified Joey’s developmental delays, and he was immediately enrolled in a special education program. The family educator also learned that Joey was eligible for supplemental Social Security income and assisted Laura in the application process.

With Joey in the special education classes he needed, the family educator turned her attention to Laura’s health. She connected Laura with a visiting nurse from the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency (MVNA) to monitor Laura’s diabetes and help with her pregnancy. The family educator taught Laura about the importance of exercise and healthy eating habits to help with her diabetes, and enrolled the whole family in a YMCA exercise program.

The family educator also identified the family’s need for safe furniture in their home, and connected Laura with an organization that provides free furniture for low-income families. The family educator even went with the family to the warehouse when they picked out their furniture. A crib for the new baby, a sofa for their living room and a bed were delivered to their home shortly thereafter.

Through hard work and support from Way to Grow, Laura and Joey have obtained a basic level of stability and health, and Joey is developing the skills he will need for kindergarten and beyond.

Success Story: Amy

Success Story: Amy 150 150 Way to Grow

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 Way to Grow.

When Shamsa, a Way to Grow family educator, told him about Way to Grow’s program, he was interested. However, he expressed he didn’t understand how two, one-hour in-home visits per month and three hours of daily preschool would change his daughter.

Last fall, Amy started attending Preschool Pals, Way to Grow’s daily preschool program, while her entire family started meeting with the family educator. Amy’s first days at preschool were tough. She didn’t want to open up to her teacher or other students at school. But quickly, that all changed.

Dave was happy to report that his daughter had found her voice. The dynamics of the home have also changed dramatically. The entire family is now working together better. Dave has shared that Amy is now confident, outgoing and has many new friends at school.

Her preschool teacher and family educator have stated that Amy is now a leader in the classroom. She loves helping with special projects and goes out of her way to make the new kids in class feel welcome. She also no longer sits in the corner all by herself and plays. Instead, she constantly generates new games to play with all the kids.

Since starting Way to Grow, Amy has learned all her letters and loves to read with her dad and brother. She also is comfortable serving as a little interpreter for her family. At one time, Amy would be terribly afraid of new people, but now she helps translate for her dad as they navigate their community.

Way to Grow is proud of Amy and her family and can’t wait to hear about all her success when she starts kindergarten next year.

Success Story: Luis

Success Story: Luis 150 150 Way to Grow

Luis was a very smart and active bilingual 5-year-old boy. When his family educator, Eveline, started meeting with his family, his mom, Maria, expressed concern about his speech and behavior. His preschool teacher had informed her that Luis needed help, so she had him take the Early-Childhood Screening for Minneapolis Public Schools. He passed these tests with an average score, but his mom and teacher were very concerned about his behavior. Luis would never sit still for story time and had a hard time following rules at school. Eveline explained to Maria that every child develops differently, and that Luis might need time to learn and adjust to his school environment. Eveline taught Maria new tools to help manage Luis’ behavior and adjust to his surroundings.

During the first home visit, Luis’ lack of attention was very apparent. He couldn’t sit for more than two minutes, and his mom had to keep telling him to sit. Eveline explained to Maria that it was okay and asked Luis if he wanted to jump. He said yes, so the whole family jumped and counted. Luis thought this was great, and giggled at seeing his mom and dad jump around the house. After jumping, Eveline sat down with Luis and read him a book, and amazingly, Luis sat and listened intently. His mom and dad were amazed. After the visit, they told Eveline they were shocked at the style of the home visit. In their culture, education is often approached with a stricter, more formal style in which the children just sit and listen to the teacher talk. It was apparent that this style wouldn’t work for Luis, and Eveline knew this from the start. She knew she had to teach his parents new ways to play with their child and give them the skills to identify his learning style.

After Eveline had worked with the family for over a year, Luis’ mom and dad have come to believe she has worked miracles. Luis is no longer in trouble at school and is going into kindergarten fully prepared. His mom and dad love the educational play and are always asking for new activities and lessons.

Student of the Month!

Student of the Month! 150 150 Way to Grow

We’re excited to share this incredible Way to Grow success story!

This is Family Educator Collette Fredrickson reporting:

“On Monday morning, Osemwivie, kindergarten student and Way to Grow participant, was named Student of the Month at her school! Last August, Osemwivie was unable to read a single word and refused to even try out of fear of failing. She did very well on her IGDI (Individual Growth and Development Indicators) assessments but hadn’t started the formal reading instruction that happens in Kindergarten.

In a matter of weeks, Osemwivie was well on her way to reading A level books. By January, she was reading and comprehending G level books with ease. Her mom has done a fantastic job of integrating reading into everyday activities such as car rides, grocery shopping, waiting at the dentist, and their nightly bedtime routine. Lately, mom is the one who listens to the bedtime stories while Osemwivie reads the book. (Osemwivie even corrects her family educator’s reading ‘slip-ups’.)”

Congrats to Collette, Osemwivie, and her mother for all their hard work!

Success Story: Marina and Abi

Success Story: Marina and Abi 150 150 Way to Grow

Marina, a single mom to 3-year-old Abi, was desperately struggling to make ends meet. Marina heard about Way to Grow from a friend, and was eager to learn how to help her son. At 3 years old, Abi was only speaking in grunts and made-up words. He would often get frustrated and throw violent tantrums when Marina could not understand him. Because of his behavior, family and friends refused to care for Abi, making Marina feel trapped.

From the first Way to Grow home visit, it was clear Abi was developmentally behind and needed additional services to succeed. Sarah, a Way to Grow family educator, had Abi screened for developmental delays and immediately enrolled him in early-childhood special education classes. Sarah also began to focus on Marina to help her develop parenting skills.

On one home visit, Sarah brought books with barnyard and zoo animals. While reading to Abi, she showed Marina how to engage him in dialogue. She encouraged Marina to ask Abi to name the different animals, talk about where they live, and what sounds the animals make. Together, they all sang “Going to the Zoo” while making a lion puppet from a paper bag. Abi was encouraged to have his puppet talk to his mom. Sarah explained to Marina how books, songs and activities help to encourage talking and increase vocabulary. After every visit, Sarah would leave a book and set goals with Marina to complete before the next visit.

In less than six months, Abi spoke in full sentences and could identify all the letters in the alphabet. He loves looking at books and singing songs. Because Abi communicates better, and has more stability in his home life, his behavioral issues have diminished significantly. He no longer throws tantrums, and family and friends are now able to watch him. This has allowed Marina to attend English classes at a nearby community center, and given her the ability to start planning for their future.

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