GROWING TIMES - JULY '21

A Family Affair

Linda Nesenson has been part of A Chance To Grow’s family – and we’ve been part of hers – since 1994. Her journey mirrors ours, as this story demonstrates.

Linda’s second son, Matthew, born in 1988, began having issues with focus and hyperactivity as a toddler. By the time he was in kindergarten, the impact was obvious: “He was so overwhelmed with everything that was going on,” remembers Linda, “he would just laugh and laugh, he didn’t know what to do. He would go full force and conk out.” He was so disruptive to the class, he spent half the day in the hallway on a chair because they didn’t know what to do with him.

Linda, pictured next to a photo of herself and a child receiving vision therapy, taken 20 years ago.

By the time he was six, his pediatrician had diagnosed him with ADHD and had put him on Ritalin.  “It wasn’t doing anything, so they just wanted to keep upping and upping the dosage,” recalls Linda, “so he developed a tic, eye blinking, and I said, ‘no, we’re not doing this.’  The saving point came when I saw a flyer advertising the Boost Up Program.”​
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> Continue Reading Linda's Story

Click here to download a PDF version of our 2021 Summer Newsletter

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Save the Date for ACTG’s
30th Running of the Race for the Children!

A Chance To Grow invites you to join us on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Longshots Party Area at Canterbury Park in Shakopee for the 30th Running of the Race for the Children! In addition to live racing, the event will feature a blackjack tournament (new!), the drawing for our 50/50 cash raffle, a silent auction, mini-games with prizes, a pick-six event, a wine pull, and fun activities for the whole family! Attendees will also receive a complimentary racing form and catered lunch.

Proceeds from the event support ACTG’s essential programs and services. Please click here to register. Sponsorship opportunities are also available!

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Current Jackpot Total: $2,035!

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Neurofeedback:
Learn and Train Workshop

Are you interested in learning about Neurofeedback, maybe even try a session? Curious about how to use Neurofeedback at home? If this is you, we invite you to join us on Wednesday, July 21 at 1:00 pm at ACTG for an opportunity to learn and experience what Neurofeedback is all about! Participants will be able to hook up to a Neurofeedback system and participate in a full-length brain-training session! 

​​For more details about the workshop, contact our Director of Neurotechnology, Kelly Pittman, at neuro@actg.org.

Register

Seating is limited, ​so register ​today!

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Registration Now Open for
2021-22 S.M.A.R.T. Workshops!

We are now accepting registrations for our 2021-22 S.M.A.R.T. and S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops! Boost your students’ learning readiness skills with this amazing program! Our experienced instructors will help you understand how to easily implement brain-stimulating activities in your classroom. If you are an educator working with Pre-K - 3rd graders, this program is for YOU!

S.M.A.R.T. Workshops

• October 26-28, 2021
• February 22-24, 2022

S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops

• ​​October 19-21, 2021
• March 1-3, 2022

Additionally, we have scheduled a 1-day Bridging the Gap workshop for Wednesday, September 29, 2021. This is a great workshop for educators working with small groups, including reading specialists, intervention teachers, Title I, special education teachers and paraprofessionals.

All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis, MN. Register two weeks in advance and save $25!

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Eyes and Ears Check!

ACTG’s Vision and Audiology Clinics are now accepting clients! If you or a loved one are struggling to see or hear clearly, or if you just need an annual check-up, please call us today at (612) 789-1236 to schedule an appointment. Our clinics offer:

• Quick appointments with minimal wait times
  
• Exams and assessments for the whole family
  
• Integrated services with additional interventions available
  
• Referrals and recommendations for continued treatment
  
• Most insurance plans are accepted

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Home-Based Services
Hiring Personal Care Assistants

ACTG’s Home-Based Services is currently seeking new Personal Care Assistants (PCA) to care for individuals with special needs in the Twin Cities area. PCAs provide direct support to meet the health and safety needs of their clients, both in the home and in the community. Early morning, afternoon, evening and weekend hours are often available. Applicants must be 18 years or older, have experience working with special needs individuals, have a required DHS background check and fingerprints, access to a reliable transportation and must complete DHS PCA certification test. For more information and to apply, please visit our Employment page.

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Sauer Family Foundation
Awards Turnquist $12,000

We are excited to announce that the Sauer Family Foundation has awarded ACTG’s Turnquist Child Enrichment Center a $12,000 grant in support of its effort to move its curricular and assessment activities to online platforms, as well as to provide transportation to families enrolled in Turnquist’s Teen Parent Program. Thank you to the Sauer Family Foundation for their continued support of our programs.

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The Northland Foundation
Supports S.M.A.R.T. in Northern MN

The Northland Foundation is supporting the MLRC’s efforts to bring the S.M.A.R.T. approach to northern Minnesota by providing the Rock Ridge School District with a $25,000 grant to provide K-3 educators with training and mentorship that will allow them to implement S.M.A.R.T. throughout the district. Thank you to The Northland Foundation for helping to grow S.M.A.R.T. in northern Minnesota.

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