Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.
For 35 years, Southwest Initiative Foundation has been part of writing southwest Minnesota’s success story. The story isn’t finished yet!
We’ve set ambitious goals to “Grow Our Own” and ensure that all kids and families who call our region home can access the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
We believe that all southwest Minnesota kids are our kids, and that now, more than ever, our kids need us to provide connection, care and encouragement. There is power in each of us. And, we’re even stronger together.
Join us for a virtual forum featuring award-winning speaker and bestselling author, Josh Shipp. This forum is designed to be short but powerful. It’s full of practical tactics and an inspiring message!
Meet Josh Shipp
Statistically, Josh Shipp should be dead, in jail or homeless. But his success as a preeminent author, speaker and global youth empowerment expert is living proof of the power of one caring adult.
A former at-risk foster kid turned youth advocate, Josh is renowned for the documentary TV series on A&E that followed his groundbreaking work with youth and families. He has written two national bestsellers to date, “The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans” – winner of the Nautilus Gold Award for Parenting & Family – and “The Teen’s Guide to World Domination.” Thanks to the support of teachers, counselors, and a wonderful set of foster parents, Josh went on to be listed on Inc. Magazine’s 30 under 30 list and is now a postgraduate student at Harvard.
Learn more about Josh on his website.
Caring adults making a difference for southwest Minnesota kids
More than 300 caring adults logged on to “The Power of One,” and in the virtual audience were Hsa Mu, Parent Student Connector at Marshall Public Schools, and Marie Atkinson-Smeins, Luverne Elementary School Counselor. They are helping our kids write their success stories, which will become the next chapter for our region.
Marie has developed an award-winning counseling program recognized at a national level. Hsa has channeled his experience of immigrating to Minnesota from a Thai refugee camp into the work he does welcoming and connecting new families.
Both have been part of the work of Grow Our Own, a cradle-to-career approach to ensure southwest Minnesota kids have what they need to succeed.
