In-person trainings are on hold until after Minnesota’s Stay Safe order ends.
Parents and Policy: Voices influencing a better education system (VIBES)
As parents and caregivers, we are responsible for the whole development of our children, from what they eat to where they live to who they are. We know our children best, and therefore we are the best advocates for our children when it comes to making sure they have access to high quality education and a positive school experience.
Growing Up Healthy wants to introduce parents and caregivers to new ways of influencing education and school experience that are rooted in community. We are committed to helping parents and caregivers use their voice to make positive changes in the schools that will benefit all of our community’s kids.
Four-part workshop series includes:
- The Power of Storytelling
- Our Role in Public Governance
- From Community Conversations to Collective Action Part 1 – Politic’IN’!
- From Community Conversations to Collective Action Part 2 – Advocacy
Main Street Project: Community Connectors
Growing Up Healthy is collaborating closely with the Main Street Project (MSP) to implement their project, From Food Insecurity to Food Sovereignty: Community Connections for Health Equity. Funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, MSP is building on their efforts to improve healthy food access for minority, low-income and immigrant families residing in Rice County. Growing Up Healthy has been a partner of MSP since 2017, collaborating on initiatives that address the disproportionate food insecurity experienced by people of color in Faribault and Northfield. Growing Up Healthy works in support of those hired by MSP as they seek to establish and improve neighborhood gardens and connect minority groups to the MSP farm and its resources.
Growing Local: Northfield Emerging Leaders Program
Our community needs strong, capable, diverse leadership to remain vibrant now and in the future. This program is being designed to help emerging leaders be ready to join boards, commissions and committees in our community. Click here for a video about the program, which was made possible through a partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension and the City of Northfield. Click here for more information about upcoming sessions.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
In partnership with the Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition, staff members have been trained to instruct Youth Mental Health First Aid in both English and Spanish for local caregivers and those who work with youth. Participants learn how to help youth who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. Find more information here.
Meet the facilitator:
Jennyffer Barrientos, bilingual in English and Spanish
Growing Up Healthy Director
651-243-1331
jen@healthycommunityinitiative.org