When I had school-age kids at home all summer, it was hard to tell who was more eager for school to start -- the kids or me.
 
But the day school started, as the last one slammed out the door (usually in a mad run for the bus) I remember being torn between end-of-summer relief and a hope and prayer for a good school day, a good school year for all.
 
My kids were blessed with great schools and a great and caring community. It didn't take long for their dad and me to realize it does take a whole village to raise a child, as well as a school and community to educate them. We are forever grateful for the teachers, neighbors, family, friends, coaches, employers, healers, faith community, legislators, taxpayers, and sometimes strangers, who  made that happen for our kids.
 
I think of this often. Especially now as we launch a new year of school and community great expectations for our kids -- all of them -- from cradle to career. Some of our kids haven't had a great start or "all-in" community investment along the way. Too many of them, in fact. And who better than all of us to ensure they get it?
 
So come along for the Great Expectations Initiative! Discover ways that, together, we can shore up and fulfill great expectations for all of our kids.
 
Donate to the Great Expectations campaign today! (Select "Great Expectations" from the drop-down menu.) Thanks, friends!

LaDonna Hoy
Executive Director

DID YOU KNOW?

-- We are fortunate to live in an area with caring leaders and great schools in Wayzata and Orono. Despite this reality, 1,600 kids are still falling behind. The Great Expectations Initiative aims to help them succeed in school and in life. 

-- You can donate your garden produce to struggling families at our food shelf! Drop off your tasty homegrown items such as fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, squash, carrots and more.

-- Every second Tuesday of the month, Interfaith Outreach hosts a free lunch and tour of our offices at 1605 County Rd 101 N in Plymouth. Learn more about the compassion and care that take place here! Sign up today.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM NEEDS YOU! CAN YOU HELP?

P.S. Are you an online shopper? Use this AmazonSmile link to order supplies directly to our offices!


Donate School Supplies
Please consider picking up school supplies (on sale now) to donate and help the children we serve prepare to learn. Donations are collected Aug. 1-20. Print out a list of most-needed items.

Donate Back-to-School Clothes
We also need quality children and teen clothing -- jeans, hoodies, shoes, tops and spirit wear -- for our ReSale 101 store. Please bring items to our building Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Other Ways to Help
Sign up to volunteer or make a financial gift to the Back-to-School Program now! For more information, email Liz Erstad-Hicks.
SUPPORT GREAT EXPECTATIONS -- CHANGE A CHILD'S LIFE!

Great Expectations is an exciting new school and community initiative providing in-school and out-of-school educational opportunities that set all of our kids on the path to success from cradle to career. Together with the Wayzata and Orono School Districts and youwe can address the educational opportunity and achievement gaps for over 1,600 kids in our area. View an infographic for supporting data and goals.

Ways You Can Help:

DONATE -- Give today and help us reach our campaign goal of $150,000 by Aug. 31! Your gift will be used to support educational opportunities through the Great Expectations Initiative, Caring for Kids (CfKI), CONECT and our Back-to-School Program. 

VOLUNTEER -- Get involved with in-school and out-of-school activities with kids or join an age-focused Great Expectations Action Team! Email Matt Miller, Great Expectations Director, or call him at 763-489-7717 to learn more.


 


"This is an investment in our kids that unlocks doors to cradle-to-career opportunities and gives flight to all parents' dreams of a great education for their kids."  -- LaDonna Hoy 
CONGRATULATIONS, LADONNA!

LaDonna Hoy (middle) honored at the Nonprofit Leadership Conference

Executive Director LaDonna Hoy was recently awarded one of three Nonprofit Leadership Awards announced at the Nonprofit Leadership Conference. LaDonna received the Transformative Leadership Award, given to a seasoned nonprofit leader with at least 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector.

At the awards ceremony, LaDonna described a vision of a community where everyone counts, where all children are cherished and protected, and family life is valued and supported by all of our institutions. As a recipient of the award, LaDonna will become an Executive Leadership Fellow at the Center for Integrative Leadership at the U of M. Congratulations, LaDonna!
JOB AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES



Interfaith Outreach is hiring! Work in an environment that is people-centered, values driven, fast paced and diverse. Thank you for considering these paid positions and passing along to your networks:
Love working with kids? We are recruiting for the following volunteer positions to provide academic help and mentorship to students:
View open positions and more volunteer opportunities on our website. Thank you!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: MATTHEW MWANGI

Matt Mwangi is a 9th grader, but his confidence and maturity far exceeds his age. Having been a previous camper at Camp CONECT, Matt didn't want to miss out on the fun and decided to volunteer as a camp leader this summer. The 2nd and 3rd grade campers keep him busy, but his positive attitude helped him persevere and stick with the 20 hour/week gig.

"Volunteering as a leader in the program has been so rewarding," says Matt. "I get to give back and get to know the campers from a new perspective -- as a leader rather than as their peer."

Thanks to Matt and the many other hardworking Camp CONECT volunteers for your dedication to local kids!




UPCOMING EVENTS
8/1-8/20
9/10-9/11
James J. Hill Days (visit our booth!)
8/24
9/12
9/5
Labor Day (offices closed)
9/13
2nd Tuesday Gathering
LINKS


 
Mission
The mission of Interfaith Outreach is to engage the heart and will of the community to respond to emergency needs and create opportunities for all to thrive.


Contact Us
1605 County Road 101 N
Plymouth MN 55447
(763) 489-7500
  
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Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners and the Interfaith Outreach Endowment Fund, which solely benefits Interfaith Outreach, are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Gifts to either organization are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.