30 Years of Building a Strong Foundation for the Future of Our Region |
Spring 2017 |
KIDS PLUS News: Youth In Philanthropy; Early Childhood Summit; Lynn Haglin honored
Minnesota Power Foundation Youth In Philanthropy Board of teens and mentors awards $23,918 to youth-led projects
Youth In Philanthropy members and adult mentors
gathered for a photo after their April board meeting.
The spirit of serving the community and giving back to others is alive and well in the next generation. During the 2016-2017 school year, 13 young people from schools throughout the region were empowered to learn and practice philanthropy.
The Minnesota Power Foundation KIDS PLUS Youth In Philanthropy Board awarded $23,918 to help fund 33 youth-driven projects during the past nine months. The grants are possible thanks to $25,000 in annual support from the Minnesota Power Foundation, but it is the youth in grades 7-12, guided by four adult volunteers, who make the difficult funding decisions.
The Board holds grantmaking meetings three times during the school year to review applications, discuss each proposal, and vote on which projects to fund. Since the program began in 2000, more 444 grants totaling $376,716 have been awarded by young people, for young people. Thank you, board members and mentors, for your dedication and hard work this year!
Regional Early Childhood Summit draws 29 school and district teams to focus on Prekindergarten to 3rd Grade continuum
School district teams, like this one from St. Louis
County Schools, participated in the 2017 Summit.
The annual Early Childhood Summit for northeastern Minnesota schools and communities has continued to "pick up steam" since the first convening 11 years ago. Back then, kindergarten readiness was the buzzword. Today, the focus has shifted to the prekindergarten through 3rd grade continuum. Teams from 29 school districts in the region, as well as other community stakeholders, gathered in April to once again learn, share, and plan for ways to improve the early learning years for young children and families.
“A cohesive approach to communication and PreK to 3rd Grade alignment establishes a shared understanding of each child's story,” said Lynn Haglin, Northland Foundation's Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director, “helping the adults in their lives to frame more consistent, effective strategies to help children reach their potential.”
Lynn Haglin honored with Women as a Driving Force leadership award
Lynn Haglin received the Leadership Award
at a ceremony in April. Tony Sertich and
other staff were on hand to congratulate her.
Children, youth, and families across northeastern Minnesota have been positively affected by Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director at the Northland Foundation. Lynn has been with the KIDS PLUS Program for more than 24 years, helping communities nurture, value, and give a voice to people of all ages. Lynn's compassion, drive, and impact were recently recognized at the Women as a Driving Force Awards. Lynn was selected for the Leadership Award, honoring outstanding achievement in the nominee's field of endeavor. She was presented with the award at a ceremony held in Duluth on April 11.
“Anyone who knows Lynn, knows she is without a doubt a driving force who has shown incredible leadership advocating for the well-being of children and youth,” said Tony Sertich, President at the Northland Foundation. “The Woman Today magazine could not have chosen a more deserving recipient.”