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Way to Grow 2011 Annual Report

VisionTogether, we will ensurethat every child has an equalopportunity to succeed inschool and life.MissionWorking closely with parentsand communities, we ensurethat children within the mostisolated families are bornhealthy, stay healthy and areprepared for school.

Hello,There’s renewed hope in the air for education in the state ofMinnesota. With the award of the Race to the Top grant fromthe federal government and the implementation of PromiseNeighborhood initiatives in Minneapolis and St. Paul, importantresources are arriving in communities with the greatest need.This is good news. It is in our best interest — morally, sociallyand economically — to work toward breaking down thebarriers that prevent children from being prepared for schooland beyond. With continued and consistent action, we caneventually eliminate the educational disparities that affectour children, resulting in an educated workforce and strongercommunities throughout Minnesota.“Education is the mostpowerful weapon whichyou can use to changethe world.”— Nelson MandelaAt Way to Grow, we care about the kids in our state, andwe care about the future of our communities. That’s why, for22 years, we’ve been working hard to educate parents andchildren. In 2011: 87% of our children were deemed ready forkindergarten; 78% of our kindergarteners (with the supportof Minneapolis Public Schools) were reading at or abovegrade level; we served over 2,000 parents and children; wecompleted 9,135 home visits; and we made over 2,177 referralsto connect parents and children to other agencies for food,clothing, housing and medical services. Moreover, 95% ofnewborns born to Way to Grow parents met a healthy birthweight, and 95% of teen mothers served by Way to Grow didnot have a repeat pregnancy. We also continued our “Great byEight” initiative to serve children from birth to the third grade.Our results are promising; however, there is more to do. Wewill never stop working toward the goal of achieving equaleducation for all children, regardless of their social or economicstatus. But we can’t do it alone. We need the diligence ofparents, foundations, businesses, schools and government andcommunity leaders, who, like us, believe all children shouldhave an equal opportunity to learn and succeed in life. Yoursupport is critical to helping us make our goal a reality. Thetime to act is now.On behalf of Way to Grow, and the many children and familieswe serve, I thank you for your support!Sincerely,Carolyn SmallwoodExecutive Director, Way to Grow

Our Impact87%100%98%95%of Way to Grow children wereprepared for kindergarten in 2011of Way to Grow teen parentinghigh school seniors graduatedof Way to Grow newborns wereborn at a normal birth weightor aboveof Way to Grow elementaryprogram parents attended fall2011 parent-teacher conferencesResults of Our Health and Wellness Services100%90%80%97%95%Referred toMN VisitingNurse AgencyHealthy BirthOutcome87%93%95%95%Immunized5-Year-OldsTeens Withouta RepeatPregnancy70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%Attended atLeast 80% ofPrenatal VisitsImmunized2-Year-Olds

Family SupportIn 2011 We served 2,076 unduplicated parents and children with high qualityhome visits focusing on early education We completed 9,136 home visits We made 2,177 referrals to agencies to access food, clothing, affordablehousing and other support servicesWe make strong connections for better care.Effective early learning must start in a stable home. When a family’s livingsituation is in jeopardy, it directly affects education efforts. And whileWay to Grow parents are committed to helping their children succeedin life, overwhelming economic and social barriers often block their way.Our Resource Advocates work closely with parents to address and helpovercome any challenge. Through Way to Grow, parents learn to advocatefor themselves and develop the skills they need to nurture their families.During Way to Grow home visits, our Resource Advocates and FamilyEducators learn about each family’s situation and any challenges theyhave in accessing resources or services. When a family needs help withhousing, food, clothing or employment services, Resource Advocatesconnect them to one of our 50 partners. This helps parents build a stablehome — enabling children to develop the skills and knowledge they needfor kindergarten.

Health & Wellness EducationIn 2011 248 pregnant mothers received individualized prenatal home visits 95% of pregnant mothers served had a healthy birth outcomeA happy life happens in a healthy home.That’s why Way to Grow is focused on making sure every child is bornhealthy, stays healthy and is ready to succeed.Research proves that when children are born healthy, they have fewerdevelopmental delays through their formative years. Our in-home healthand-wellness programming teaches parents about prenatal care, nutrition,immunizations, well-child checkups and safety to ensure all children arehealthy, strong and prepared to learn. When necessary, our ResourceAdvocates refer families to our appropriate health and dental care partners.Two of our most prominent partnerships are with the Minnesota VisitingNurse Agency and Women, Infants and Children.This complete health-and-wellness programming enables Way to Growparents to access health services and develop skills to work effectivelywithin the healthcare, school and social services systems.

Early Learning (Great by Eight)In 2011 90 3- to 5-year-olds received quality, center-based early learningprogramming through Preschool Pals 138 children graduated Way to Grow and started kindergarten moreprepared to learn 87% of Way to Grow children achieved school-readiness whenentering %20%020062007Percentage of Way to Grow children who meet or exceed the benchmarkfor Individual Growth and Development Indicators.20102011

K–3 Elementary Education (Great by Eight)In 2011 42 Minneapolis Kindergarteners participated in the 2010-2011Elementary Education program 82% of Kindergarteners passed the Ending Kindergarten Assessment 78% of Kindergarteners were reading at or above grade level 94% of parents attended both Fall and Spring Parent-TeacherConferences 100% of Kindergarteners completed an annual physicalLearning continues after the school day ends.Reading skills at age 8 strongly influence a child’s high school and collegeattendance and future success. The Great by Eight K–3 ElementaryEducation program focuses on the skills children need to develop by thetime they complete third grade to lay the foundation for success in life.Way to Grow K–3 Elementary Education program participants receivebi-weekly home visits, not only to aid in the development of the children,but to help parents learn methods to suppport their child’s education bylearning to navigate the school system.By working with parents and schools, more children will meet or exceed theeducational goals of the state of Minnesota at the end of third grade.

Teen Parenting ProgramIn 2011 18 parenting teens enrolled 100% of parenting high school seniors graduated 71% of parenting graduates enrolled in college 95% of Way to Grow teen moms did not have a repeat pregnancyGiving love is as important as receiving it.Though teen parents face many obstacles and struggles, the Way to GrowTeen Parenting curriculum helps educate and prepare them for a successfullife. As part of a three-year commitment, teen parents receive home visitstwice-a-month, academic tutoring, guidance in career development andparticipate in evening group sessions.The program is specifically designed for mothers ages 15 to 21 whoare attending or willing to enroll in high school/GED programs and arecommitted to their education and career goals.

KrystleAt 17 years old, high school studentKrystle gave birth to her son Jamison.After enrolling in an alternative schoolfor teen moms, she learned about ateen parenting program being offeredthrough Way to Grow. Krystle joined,and there she quickly formed a bondwith the other young moms and foundthe support she was lacking at home.Two-and-a-half years later, Krystle is ahigh school graduate and she continuesto attend the group. She works andgoes to school full time with the goalof eventually helping other teen momsand families in difficult situations.Krystle credits Way to Grow withmuch of her success as an employee,as a student and, most importantly,as a mom to a happy, healthy boy.

2011 Revenue & ExpensesIn 2011, Way to Grow faced major and unexpected funding decreases.While challenging, these decreases were not insurmountable. We haveresponded by restructuring and combining or expanding certain programs,allowing us to continue to provide high-quality, critical support to theparents and children we serve.Operating Revenue20112010Contributions 52,693 34,461Government 761,754 814,739Foundations 685,990 591,750United Way 261,784 223,026 9,668 9,328 126,280 143,008 485 2,682 1,898,654 1,818,994 1,463,881 1,673,536Administrative Services 167,852 206,554Fundraising Services 251,753 213,197 1,883,486 2,093,287Program ServiceAnnual CelebrationInterest IncomeTotal Operating RevenueOperating ExpensesProgram ServicesTotal Operating Expenses

Board of DirectorsMaria Christu, ChairGeneral CounselChildren’s Hospitals & ClinicsAmber KrchnavyManager, Powerplant EngineeringDelta AirlinesJudy Farmer, Past ChairMinneapolis School Board Member, RetiredRobert MarshPresident & Chief Executive OfficerSynicoJames Boyle, Vice ChairPresident, James R. Boyle & AssociatesLaurie Lafontaine, TreasurerVice President, Finance & TreasuryAllina Health SystemPhil Kibort, MD, SecretaryChief Medical Officer & Vice President,Medical Affairs, Children’s Hospitalsand ClinicsJudge Pamela AlexanderPresident, Council on Crime & JusticeJulie BakerCommunity VolunteerChris Malaeb, ScD, MPHSenior Vice PresidentCapella Education CompanyJulia HalbergVice President Global Health Services &Chief Medical Officer, General MillsKeith HallelandFounder & ShareholderHalleland HabichtElizabeth JollyAttorneySuzanne McCartySenior Director of Community InvolvementCargillMalcolm McDonaldDirector of Various OrganizationsRetiredKaren MulleryDirector, Global Core and ImagingMarketing, Boston ScientificRobin SchroederChief Financial Officer, Schroeder CompanyRetiredJoellyn VeningaVice President, Human Resources, EcolabAdvisory BoardTerri BarreiroDirector, Donald McNeely Center forEntrepreneurship, St. John’s UniversityGary CunninghamVice President of Programs, CPONorthwest Area FoundationTodd OtisDirector of Community PartnershipsThink Small