Way to Grow knows that strong communities are built when people come together with purpose. On October 3, nearly 500 guests gathered at The Depot in Minneapolis for the annual Shine Celebration. Together, we raised over $500,000 to support families across the Twin Cities!
Our theme The Head & the Heart: Together We Shine celebrated what makes Way to Grow unique: the measurable impact of early childhood education and the personal stories that remind us why this work matters.
A Milestone for Leadership
The evening marked a milestone as CEO Coco Du took the stage for her first Shine Celebration as leader of Way to Grow. She welcomed guests with warmth, humor, and gratitude.
Early in her tenure, Coco joined a home visit along with the family’s Family Educator, a very curious three-year-old, and their parent. For 90 minutes, they read books, made letter sounds, and talked about health and safety. However, what she witnessed wasn’t just education — it was connection, partnership, and trust in action.
Connection matters to Way to Grow, and Coco carries this truth with her in a personal way. As a teenager who came to the U.S., she felt alone until an educator welcomed her exactly as she was. Through that experience, she learned what belonging means. Today, Way to Grow ensures every child and family doesn’t just learn — they feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger.
Clearly, the impact is measurable. Way to Grow served a record 764 families this past year, completed over 13,000 home visits, and will reach over 800 families by year’s end. Behind every number is a child discovering their potential and a parent growing as their advocate.
Additionally, an original video titled The Head & the Heart: Together We Shine brings these numbers and Way to Grow’s mission to life. In it, children, parents, and Family Educators share their voices.
The Head:
Evidence + Impact
Next, Dr. Art Rolnick, a nationally recognized economist and early childhood champion, presented the data-driven case for investing in early childhood education. For example, he outlined research showing an 18% return on investment and shared findings:
- Long-term health benefits extend well into adulthood
- Children of program participants attend college at higher rates
He calls Way to Grow a national model for effective family support, which shows investing in children early is one of the smartest decisions we can make. Furthermore, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, every dollar invested in evidence-based home visiting programs saves up to $5.70 in future costs related to health care, special education, and child welfare.
The Heart:
Stories of Resilience + Belonging
Then, award-winning author Kao Kalia Yang delivered the keynote address, reading from her children’s book From the Tops of the Trees. During her talk, Kalia shared reflections on resilience, family, and the experiences of moving through new places, cultures, languages, and systems, often with limited resources or support.
Her words honored the 50th anniversary of Hmong refugees arriving in Minnesota. Through storytelling, Kalia showed what data cannot capture: the quiet moments of courage, the bonds that hold families together, and the dreams that guide them forward. In addition, she spoke about the power of community and how we grow strong together, which is the heart of Together We Shine.
A Family’s Story:
Where Head + Heart Meet
Following the keynote, Way to Grow parent Nakesha Caldwell’s family story brought both Art’s research and Kalia’s reflections into sharp focus.
Inher remarks, she described the pressure of single motherhood and how Way to Grow became a foundation for her family’s success. For instance, the organization celebrates her children at every milestone and provides a dedicated tutor who helped her daughter transform from struggling reader to top of her class.
As Nakesha shared, “That spark, that belief in herself – that is the priceless gift Way to Grow gave her. That support didn’t just help my daughter read; it helped her believe she could.”
Nakesha’s closing remarks still echo: “Your contribution isn’t just funding a program. You’re investing in the foundational stones of countless families like mine. You’re funding celebrations that make children feel seen & valued.”
She continued, sharing what that support provides: “You’re providing the tutoring that unlocks a child’s confidence. You’re gifting experiences that broaden horizons. You’re empowering parents to be their best. You are creating ripples of success that extend far beyond one child, one family—they uplift our entire community.”You’re providing the tutoring that unlocks a child’s confidence. You’re gifting experiences that broaden horizons. You’re empowering parents to be their best. You are creating ripples of success that extend far beyond one child, one family — they uplift our entire community.”
Together, We Shine
So many people and places made Shine Celebration 2025 unforgettable. Special thanks to:
- Auctioneer Katie Imholte Gabriel
- Way to Grow Board Chair Michael Garrett and board members Karen Contag and Chris Mongeon
- Kao Kalia Yang and Big Hill Books for their live auction book club experiences
- Chef Terry John Zila, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Pink Ivy Kitchen & Bar for exciting live auction experiences
- The Leslie Vincent Quintet and T. Mychael Rambo for live, vivacious jazz throughout the night
- SHAPESHIFT Dance Collective for their opening performance of “Big Dreams”
- Magers & Quinn Booksellers for hosting a bookstall featuring Kao Kalia Yang’s work
Way to Grow celebrates the sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community partners who make this work possible—including Commissioner Tikki Brown and Commissioner Debbie Goettel for their ongoing support.
In the end, the Way to Grow community raised over $500,000! As a result, this support will strengthen families currently enrolled in our programs and welcome new families in the year ahead.
Ultimately, Shine Celebration 2025 proves what happens when we invest in families early and trust that small moments create lasting change. Want to be part of this work? Learn more about supporting Way to Grow or make a gift today.
Because when we invest in families early, we build brighter futures—one book, one visit, one child at a time. Together, we shine.
