Way to Grow knows that community partnership in education helps children and families thrive. At this year’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Growth (EIG) Summit, we were honored to join Best Buy in a powerful demonstration of that truth.
During the Summit, Way to Grow CEO Coco Du and VP of Development Melissa Meyer joined the Community Panel to highlight how we walk alongside families from pregnancy through third grade. They shared real stories and measurable impact from our home visiting model, while also digging into the importance of community programming and support. These conversations reflect what we see every day: when families are supported, children grow stronger in school and in life.
900 Backpacks, Countless Opportunities for Families
The Summit also featured a hands-on effort that showed the heart of community partnership. Best Buy team members and volunteers packed more than 900 backpacks filled with school supplies for students across the Twin Cities. Way to Grow families are among those receiving these backpacks, ensuring children head back to school with confidence and joy.
As ShaDonte McMorris, Best Buy’s Community Engagement Associate Manager, shared in his recap, each backpack represented more than just supplies. It symbolized encouragement, opportunity, and support for the next generation of leaders. His reflections, and the feedback he received, underscore the power of centering children and families in corporate and community investment.
Why Community Partnerships Matter
Way to Grow is deeply grateful to ShaDonte, Delphanie Daniels, and the entire Best Buy team for their leadership and commitment to children and families. When local organizations, businesses, and community members come together, the impact ripples far beyond a single event.
For Way to Grow, the heart of the work will always be children and families. Partnerships like this allow us to expand our reach and impact. Together, we build a stronger Minneapolis where every child can enter school ready to succeed.
