MinneMinds Sunsets As Funders Shift to New, Exciting Strategies
After seven years of successful advocacy on behalf of Minnesota’s youngest children, the MinneMinds coalition will sunset today. MinneMinds has helped elevate early childhood as a top legislative priority, which fostered the growth and expansion of a strong and robust landscape of advocates, including parents and caretakers.
Our coalition members remain committed to creating an equitable future for all Minnesota children through continued support and funding of the Start Early Funders Coalition, and finding new, innovative ways to influence early childhood policy that are more deeply centered in the wisdom and experience of parents and families.
In the coming months, funders and partners will support the development of a grassroots parent/caretaker centered legislative agenda, where those with lived experience are at the center of decision making.
MinneMinds wants to thank everyone that has been part of our success over the years: members, partners and funders, legislators, state officials, parents, and children. Because of your initiative and commitment, you have helped improve the lives of thousands of children throughout the state. Special thanks to the tremendous efforts of our community members and non-profit partners who have worked closely with MinneMinds to tirelessly advocate for successful outcomes.
Success Stories – Joyce Preschool
Executive Director Laura Tompkins
The MinneMinds coalition has partners across the state that are informed by key values and child-centered approaches that provide meaningful and long-lasting positive benefits for Minnesota’s children and families.
One partner that is grounded in these values is Joyce Preschool. Their high-quality, research-driven and culturally relevant programming has delivered consistent results for children and parents alike. In a city where only 36% of Spanish-speaking students are kindergarten-ready, 100% of Joyce’s graduates in the past six years have been ready for kindergarten.
How is Joyce able to create success for its students and families? By providing programming that is culturally relevant, rooted in equity, multigenerational-focused, and parent directed…
Video From Think Small: Macy started her child care program at age two, with no previous early learning experience. Since then, she’s blossomed. She is now the star student of her program and completely ready for kindergarten. An Early Learning Scholarship allowed her to start the program at a young age, since she lives in a Transformation Zone in Minnesota.Watch how her scholarships, combined with a high-quality program, have made all the difference for Macy.
Macy’s Story: Early Education at Age 2 Makes the Difference