For 30 years, Way to Grow has been a neighbor, a friend, and a support to thousands in our community. From our Little Yellow House to our new home on Irving Avenue North, our extended Way to Grow family has helped to reach families, build networks of services, and prepare children for school. As we take a look back at 30 years of change and impact, we also look forward to our future. We know there is more work to be done and we are ready to tackle these challenges. Way to Grow will be there for our community for as long as it takes to ensure all families have the tools they need to succeed.
Phillips TLC is the first Way to Grow location to open, created through United Way’s “Success by 6” initiative, focused on improving school readiness through community change.
Atum Azzahir, Way to Grow’s first Executive Director 
Don Fraser, Mayor of Minneapolis 
Jim Renier, Honeywell CEO
Way to Grow expands its service area by opening a second location — Northside Family Community Connection — in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools.
Way to Grow celebrates its first graduating class from Northside Family Community Connection.
Way to Grow combines its nine locations to two — Little Yellow House and Sabathany Community Center — to bring staff together for program continuity.
After 15 years as a Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board program, Way to Grow attains independent status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
With only 38% of pre-k children ready for kindergarten, Way to Grow implements new curriculum and interventions.
Mayor R.T. Rybak proclaims June 15, 2005 as “Way to Grow Day” urging all citizens to support the importance of quality early childhood development.
Staff, parents, and children participate in the first annual “Voices for Children Advocacy” rally at the State Capitol, resulting in additional early education funding years later.
Way to Grow opens Preschool Pals at Center for Families in North Minneapolis.
Way to Grow receives Certificate of Recognition from Mayor’s Office for “outstanding leadership, dedication, and vision in keeping Minneapolis children safe from lead.”
Way to Grow opens a preschool at Little Earth in South Minneapolis.
Way to Grow consolidates its two offices to a new Broadway Avenue location in North Minneapolis.
Children’s Defense Fund of Minnesota presents a “Star of the State” award to Way to Grow for effectively and creatively meeting the needs of Minnesota’s children in “Early Care & Education.”
Strategic design firm Little & Company begins partnership with Way to Grow as a pro bono client, creating a new identity to elevate the brand and mission.
Way to Grow expands programming to stay with families through third grade — a crucial year in the cementing of literacy, school success, and health for all families.
For the first time, 80% of Way to Grow children pass assessments and are deemed ready for kindergarten.
Way to Grow Executive Director, Carolyn Smallwood, is appointed to the Early Learning Council by Governor Mark Dayton.
Way to Grow is accredited as a 4-star Parent Aware preschool provider. This is in addition to the National Association for the Education of Young Children certification received in 2007.
Way to Grow rallies with the MinneMinds coalition; legislature approves $40 million for Early Learning Scholarships.
Way to Grow opens a preschool at Urban Ventures focused on critical parent-child learning time, funded by Redleaf Family Foundation.
Carolyn Smallwood is asked to
co-chair Mayor Betsy Hodge’s Cradle to K Cabinet. The initiative works to close the achievement gap in Minneapolis.
Receives the Social Innovation Fund Grant through the Greater Twin Cities United Way — investing in organizations focused on innovative solutions, expanding economic opportunity for youth, and leveraging collective impact.
Way to Grow expands programming to Lucy C. Laney Community School. The Way to Grow Family Room provides a place to host parent-child programming and reach neighbors.
Way to Grow launches a new parent engagement initiative, My Voice Matters, hosting workshops and events to help parents navigate the systems that impact their child’s education.
Way to Grow becomes an evidence-based organization by adopting the nationally certified Parents as Teachers curriculum.
Way to Grow expands services deeper into Minneapolis and into Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center.
In June, Way to Grow moves into a new home on Irving Ave. in the Harrison neighborhood of Minneapolis. The move allows for further expansion and provides a better space for programming.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in just a few short months, Way to Grow moved our holistic home visiting program online. Virtual visits, online preschool, and groups conducted over Zoom were a lifeline to families. Family Educators referred families to critical resources, provided curriculum and tablets to families learning at home, and joined our community in working toward social equity and justice. In response to these great challenges, our staff, families, and supporters stepped up to build a stronger, more connected future.