We have merged with FamilyWise Services!
After a year of exploration and conversation, our Board of Directors voted to approve a merger with FamilyWise Services, effective July 1.
MCCC and FamilyWise have long been likeminded partners, with FamilyWise being a longtime leader in keeping children safe and helping families lead stable, healthy, and productive lives.
Across four decades of fulfilling our vision for a state where all children have the opportunity for a healthy future, MCCC has focused on innovating and strengthening our programs. This merger gives us the opportunity to continue doing that: as one unified organization, we will create a continuum of care that wraps around families to keep kids safe and healthy.
As of July 1, MCCC programs will operate under the FamilyWise name, and FamilyWise will become the Minnesota chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and the National Circle of Parents. Staff-wise, our team will join the FamilyWise staff, and will continue to lead our statewide program activities. FamilyWise will continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Ann Gaasch.
If you would like to learn more about the impactful programs of FamilyWise, check out their website at www.familywiseservices.org.
Please feel free to contact our staff with any questions:
Kate Bailey, Chief Development Officer - kbailey@familywiseservices.org
Cassandra Berg, Senior Evaluation Analyst - cberg@familywiseservices.org
Emily Clary, Senior Director of Prevention Initiatives - eclary@familywiseservices.org
Lisa Deputie, Director of Prevention Initiatives (Metro Area) - ldeputie@familywiseservices.org
Linsey McMurrin, Director of Prevention Initiatives and Tribal Projects - lmcmurrin@familywiseservices.org
Barb Sorum, Director of Prevention Initiatives (Southern MN) - bsorum@familywiseservices.org
Jenna Zmyslony, Regional ACE Training Coordinator (Northern Minnesota) - jzmyslony@familywiseservices.org
A Statement from Minnesota Communities Caring for Children Staff
At Minnesota Communities Caring for Children (MCCC), we are deeply distressed by the recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and for every life that was taken before them due to racism and white supremacy.
They were members of families, connected to communities, and were deeply loved.
We extend our condolences to their families. We say their names. We honor their lives. Black Lives Matter.
As racial inequities and injustices continue in our nation, we want to let you know that we hear you, we see you, and we stand with you.
Racism is an Adverse Childhood Experience that causes toxic stress and trauma, and that is why MCCC is actively building our knowledge, skills, and resources to increase equitable outcomes for all children and families. We are committed to being anti-racist, to using an equity lens in our policy work and to being intentional about addressing and eliminating racial inequities.
This struggle is our struggle and we are deeply committed to working with you to build a Minnesota where all children, youth, and families can thrive in safe, stable and nurturing environments.
Remember to breathe.
We acknowledge that there is a lot of stress and tension for everyone during this time. Our protective systems are on high alert due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an especially important time to support one another, to practice compassion, to pause and breathe.
As a nonprofit organization, Minnesota Communities Caring for Children (MCCC) is dedicated to the safety and health of our staff, volunteers, and program participants. At this time our staff are encouraged to work from home and will continue to respond to emails and voicemails as quickly as we can. We are exploring options for how we can continue serving parents and communities in creative ways using a virtual format.
Communications regarding new program offerings as well as any event cancellations and postponements will be posted first to the homepage of our website. Thanks for your grace and patience as we reflect upon the best approaches for our organization and community. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
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Practicing Resilience: View a variety of 30-minute resilience practice recordings. Click here for details.
Click here for more Resources for Adaptation and Resiliency During the Coronavirus Outbreak.
