Our Blog area provides the latest posts on upcoming events, announcements, meetings and the general latest “happenings” with both DREAM for Kids and the Early Childhood Initiative.
DREAM for Kids Presents: POP
After going through an extensive program review/overhaul, DREAM for Kids is pleased to announce the creation of Pieces Of Parenting (POP). Parenting is often a puzzle to all of us at one time or another. DREAM for Kids is inviting area parents to help solve some of the many puzzles of parenting through POP. POP is a work in progress—you can find it here. POP will be a local resource developed by area parents who are looking for a few (or a lot of) pieces to their parenting puzzle as they face the many stages and challenges of raising their children. POP can be found HERE
Current POP programs include:
- Love and Logic®
- Parents Forever
- Parent Cafes
- Shoulder to Shoulder
- ECFE
Now is your chance to weigh in; what other kinds of programs would you like to see? Let us know HERE
POP will also involve categories to make it easier for YOU to quickly find the information you need. Our categories so far are:
- Ages 0-3
- Ages 4-6
- Ages 7-10
- Ages 11-14
- Ages 15-18
- Single Parents
- Blended Families
- Grandparents
- Children with Challenges
What other categories would you like to see? Let us know HERE
Awards Given for Round-Up Fundraiser
In the spring of 2010, DREAM for Kids teamed up with several area organizations and businesses to raise funds through the “Round-Up” fundraiser. This popular fundraising technique allows customers at participating businesses to round up their purchase cost to the nearest dollar (or more). The change that is collected is then donated to the project. DREAM for Kids teamed up with Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Key Club, and the Big Stone Health Care Foundation.
In appreciation for their support in this fundraiser, the participating businesses were awarded with dream catchers and the first Dream Catcher Awards, provided by the DREAM for Kids team. Awards were presented by kids from FCCLA and the Key Club. Each award includes the meaning of the dream catcher and a thank you for helping good dreams to flow freely to children and their families.
Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams both good and bad. The dream catcher, when hung over or near your bed, swinging freely in the air, catches the dreams as they flow by. The good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher, slipping through the outer holes, slide down the soft feathers so that many times the sleeper does not know he/she is dreaming. The bad dreams, not knowing the way, get tangled in the dream catcher and parish with the first light of the new day.
Nolan Fetters & Jacqueline Meisohle (Key Club) - Cenex C-Store
Zach PettyJohn FCCLA, Annie Haukos FCCLA, Jacqueline Meisohle Key Club, Joseph Larson FCCLA, and Jim Kaye - Furniture Shoppe
Annie Haukos FCCLA, Bill Hartman, Joseph Larson FCCLA
Joseph Larson (FCCLA) and Lanney McKinney - Jim and Sons Lumber
Keeta Erickson and Annie Haukos (FCCLA) - Keeta Kay's
Steve and Jacqueline Meisohle (Key Club) - NAPA Sturdevant Auto Parts
Jenna Westlund (Key Club) and LaVerne Kaye
Marlys Thompson and Joseph Larson (FCCLA) - Otrey Lake Gallery
Mark Amundson and Jacqueline Meisohle (Key Club) - River Street Brewing and Marina
Join the Conversation
“When we invest wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship.” -Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
The Ortonville Early Childhood Initiative and DREAM for Kids will be hosting an Open House at Java Jules on Thursday, April 14th from 9:30am – 7pm.
- See what these groups have done for Ortonville and Big Stone County
- Learn how children’s issues affect everyone in the community
- Provide feedback- what great things do you see for children in Big Stone County and what areas need improvement?
- Discover how you can get involved.
Refreshments will be served all day. Register to win door prizes!
Join us at 10am, Noon, 2pm, or 4pm for a more in-depth conversation and enjoy a FREE specialty drink!
At 6pm, we are delighted to have local author, Brent Olson, reading selections from his books.
Please join us on Thursday!!
Kari Dorry & Laura Lamb
ECI Co-Coordinators
Big Toy Expo
The Early Childhood Initiative holds a Big Toy Expo every year at the Ortonville Airport.