By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Brittany arrived at her new high school as a transfer student with no connections and a history of challenges. She had been enrolled in four different schools within the last three years. Brittany was all too familiar with judgment, as her records of poor attendance and numerous suspensions always seemed [...]
by Jennifer Krekelberg Supervisor, Dakota Healthy Families Their pregnancy was unexpected. Maria and Alex were not sure they would still be together if not for the birth of their baby girl, but they were willing to try. Both worried they might not be good parents to Emma, so when offered services through 360 Communities Dakota Healthy [...]
By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Imagine not knowing how you’re going to provide the evening meal for your children when they arrive home from school. Imagine arriving home 15 minutes late and looking at yourself in the car’s rearview mirror before you enter your home…recalling the facial bruises your spouse brutally inflicted on you the [...]
Prevention is a cornerstone of 360 Communities’ work to strengthen our communities to a new degree. We are working in the home with first-time parents, supporting the cognitive and social development of children in their first four years. We work with day care providers to improve the quality of child care settings and help make sure [...]
The Donaldson Foundation has awarded $30,000 to 360 Communities to support its school-based Partners For Success program. 360 Communities Partners for Success employs family support workers in 32 schools in eight school districts. They engage families of at-risk, Pre-K to 12th-grade students to create a stabilized home environment that encourages learning, values high achievement and prepares [...]
by Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Do you have eyes that see the courage and struggle in the people around you? We each hold a unique perspective and are more likely to see those things that “fit” our own world view. With life’s many distractions and our personal mindsets, it takes being open with intentionality to [...]
By Sal Mondelli CEO Emeritus After a very rewarding four plus years as CEO, I have handed the reins over to Jeff Mortensen effective October 1, the start of the new fiscal year, as part of an orderly transition plan which was set in motion over 18 months ago. If five years ago you would have [...]
By Lisa Lusk Director of School Success Academic success is not a guarantee for any student. Even children who have all the tools and support in the world to reach their potential may have significant hurdles to overcome requiring hard work in order to succeed. Imagine what it must be like for a student who comes [...]
by Lisa Lusk Director of School Success Tears of joy and relief streaked down Sandy’s face when she processed the news. It was December, and the latest test results showed that her first-grader, Kylie, was now reading slightly above grade level, a monumental improvement from where she was at the beginning of the school year. Sandy [...]
by Sal Mondelli Chief Executive Officer Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” When a person makes a positive impact in the life of another, it produces a lasting legacy. Being a positive force in another person’s life can make [...]
