Focus Area: Advocacy in Early Childhood

Grant Amount: $10,000

Based in Minneapolis, serves statewide. Begun in 1976 as Genesis II for Families, the organization merged with Minnesota Communities Caring for Children in 2020, adding a statewide focus for its services supporting families through culturally competent services. Family Wise is now developing an advocacy initiative to its direct service programs, drawing on the experiences of parents and helping them to find their advocacy voice on issues that reflect their lived experience.

Grant supports funding a staff person for the Parent Leadership Program who can plan, lead, and coordinate the advocacy activities that the parent leaders will pursue. The grant includes support for building a curriculum and coordinating trainings that offer education around legislative processes, advocacy, storytelling, media relations, and program development. It also includes support to help parents participate, including transportation, childcare, and, if needed, clothing.