Focus Area: Early Childhood

Grant Amount: $5,500

Located in Duluth. The YWCA of Duluth has been serving women and families in Duluth since 1893. Its Spirit Valley building, which houses the Early Childhood Center and the Young Mom’s program, has been operating since 2003, with funding from Sheltering Arms for several of its programs. The YWCA has been a leader in Duluth in implementing Circles of Security aimed at addressing trauma in both families and staff.

Grant supports offering Circle of Security Parent Education one night per week for 8-12 weeks. They will hire a facilitator to lead the classes and educate parents in the Circle of Security relationship attachment model. Parents will have an opportunity to view videos of their children interacting with caregivers and also with themselves during drop-offs and pick-ups to better understand their children’s attachment style. Circles of Security is a tool developed in Duluth and used throughout the community and, increasingly, statewide and even nationally.