SWIF hosted a series of five listening sessions across southwest Minnesota to gather regional feedback on the draft standards. More than 150 child care providers, directors, economic development professionals, employers, parents and community leaders attended these sessions to voice their concerns and recommendations. Cheryl Glaeser of Achieve TFC, LLC. facilitated the sessions and developed a summary report in partnership with SWIF to highlight the key challenges noted in the listening sessions and a summary of recommended changes to the standards.
Connect Newsletter
A new era of career exploration
Today’s approach to career and technical education in southwest Minnesota is an evolving network of partners all leaning in to strengthen students’ ties to the region and open their eyes to the possibilities around them. Southwest Initiative Foundation and all its funds have invested more than $1 million in career pathways work since 2017, from sponsoring major career expos drawing hundreds of students to the purchase of welding safety equipment and funding hands-on FFA experiences.
Local community foundations are partners in career prep
When it comes to career and technical education (CTE), local community foundations can be a great resource to support projects and ideas in schools. Many of Southwest Initiative Foundation’s 31 community foundation partners make grants to schools for projects related to career exploration. Earlier this school year, the Montevideo Area Community Foundation (MACF) granted half the cost to replace the safety helmets in the welding shop at Montevideo High School.
On the right path
The newest issue of our CONNECT newsletter is all about career pathways. Our feature story has highlights from the vast network of partnerships around our region that are supporting our students in finding meaningful work and our employers in filling their workforce needs so that our economy and communities can thrive. Choosing what to include was difficult because there is so much happening in career and technical education right now.
Clarkfield Area Community Foundation
The Clarkfield Area Community Foundation is supported by generous donors who care about Clarkfield. Since 2010, CACF has granted nearly $150,000 to support community projects and initiatives in Clarkfield and the surrounding area, and they will be granting an additional $15,000 before the end of 2023.
Entrepreneur fuels community in Watson
A larger-than-life heifer wearing a red handkerchief tied around her ears, tongue in mid-lick, is stamped on the vehicles parked across from Sunshine & Whiskey Filling Station. It’s hard to miss the promotion for Salty Heifer’s Off Sale, attached to the filling station. Autumn Lee owns both businesses, and she’s a standout in her own right.
