Resource newsletter: Spring 2023 (Volume 93)

Our Mission

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, facilitates collaboration and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.

Board of Directors

Michelle Paquin, Chair

Deb Zak, Vice Chair

Cheri Gunvalson, Secretary

Todd Beckel, Treasurer

Jason Carlson

Antonio Franklin

Kaitlyn Grenier

Jill Johnson

Mike LaRoque

Connie Lindstrom

Bruce Reeves

Kristi Thorfinnson

Investing in our future

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”

– Marian Wright Edelman

This quote could not be more true for Northwest Minnesota. Our community’s passion for education is undeniable.

With deep appreciation owed to the donors who chose to establish a scholarship fund, we now manage 123 of these funds – all of which provide impactful dollars to support students furthering their education. We have provided more than $3.6 million in scholarships to Northwest Minnesota students since NMF’s inception in 1986.

Further, our 42 education funds enhance projects, classroom experiences, and cutting-edge technology through grants for educators that would not otherwise be funded. That impact totals nearly $3 million.

Our education funds are especially important in today’s climate when teachers pay out of pocket for classroom necessities. Our education funds have been an extra resource for many teachers across the region. These grants can cover small and large expenses. We’ve had teachers introduce flexible seating in the classroom, allowing students to sit on an exercise ball or other nontraditional seating, thus increasing attention spans and creating an environment of comfort while learning. Larger projects have included field trips, 3D printers, or new Chromebooks.

When you make an investment to support scholarships, the returns are endless. It helps students concentrate on their studies and other extracurricular activities, a financial burden is lifted, and most importantly it offers a sense of achievement. Further, your gift models a willingness to give back and support another person’s educational endeavors, the start of their journey toward ultimately making their mark on this world.

There is no guarantee that awarded students will return home to Northwest Minnesota, but we fully believe that the students of today are our best investment in the future. NMF exists to make this region a better place to live and work – and that means championing local businesses, expanding access to quality child care, and supporting housing development throughout the region, for example. That’s how we keep our communities alive.

In appreciation,

Kelly Martinka Philanthropy Officer

About this issue

This issue of the Resource highlights our work supporting younger generations, illustrating the impact of scholarship funds and featuring some of our ongoing work in child care. With an eye on the future and our feet planted on the ground, we are building better lives for all who call Northwest Minnesota home.

nwmf.org

We can’t do this work alone! Building a stronger community starts with you. Please consider a gift to the NMF endowment by visiting www.nwmf.org/give-now or scanning the QR code here. Thank you for your support.

Kittson Roseau Marshall Pennington Red Lake Polk Norman Mahnomen

Lake of the Woods Beltrami Clearwater Hubbard White Earth Reservation

First recipient of Lois Ludwig Memorial Scholarship is substitute teaching in Ms. Ludwig’s same district

Article written by Cindy Ducharme, Red Lake Falls

School District

Lois Ludwig, a former teacher for the Red Lake Falls School District, passed away in 2018 at the age of 98, but her memory will always be a part of Lafayette High School.

Upon Ms. Ludwig’s death, the school district was notified that she left $360,000 to be donated to the school to set up a scholarship fund for future students.

The first scholarship from her fund was awarded to Brooke Knott, a 2019 graduate of Lafayette High School.

When Brooke was younger, she wanted to become a teacher: Her mom, aunt, and uncle all were teachers within the school district. That changed, however, when she got older and participated in Mrs. Kennett’s weightlifting class, where she found she had an interest in kinesiology and exercise physiology.

In August 2022, Brooke earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science along with a minor in psychology.

“Exercise science is the study of how exercise effects a person’s fitness and health,” Brooke said.

She is currently working on her master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology, which is where physiologists analyze a patient’s medical history to create the best and safest fitness program and also help patients recover from chronic diseases while improving their overall fitness.

After Brooke graduates, she plans on working in cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehab is a supervised program for people who have had

heart issues. The goal is to aid recovery and improved quality of life while reducing the risk factors for recurring events.

Though Brooke didn’t end up getting a degree in teaching, she is teaching. Brooke is a substitute teacher at Lafayette High School while she is completing her master’s degree online.

“Since I am currently completing my master’s through an online program, I was able to move back to the area,” she said. “Subbing is very flexible with my school schedule. There is also a great need for substitute teachers in our area. It is fun to interact with the students, especially since I know or am related to many of them.”

Brooke said that there are pros and cons about teaching in her hometown.

“I played sports with some of this year’s seniors or babysat some of the students in the lower grades,” she said. “Some of them I coached in summer recreation when they were younger. I often have my younger brother or cousins in the classes I sub for. It can be fun, but also hard to hold authority when it’s with people you know closely.”

When asked what it meant for her to receive the Lois Ludwig Scholarship, Brooke said, “The scholarship has been extremely helpful with tuition and book expenses, especially as it is a scholarship that you can receive years following. Lois Ludwig was a very influential person within our schools during her time as a teacher. I feel honored to have been the first recipient of this memorial scholarship.”

A 2019 graduate of Red Lake Falls High School, Brooke Knott was the first recipient of the Lois Ludwig Memorial Scholarship in 2019. She is now substitute teaching in the Red Lake Falls School District as she pursues her master’s degree.

Lois Ludwig taught for 34 years, spending the majority of her career as a fourthgrade teacher at Red Lake Falls school. Upon her passing at age 98, the Red Lake Falls School District learned that Ms. Ludwig, who had never married or had children, left $360,000 to the district to support student scholarships.

The Red Lake Falls School District appreciates the opportunity to award the Lois Ludwig Memorial Scholarship to their most deserving student each year.

To support the scholarship, scan this QR code or visit www.nwmf.org/give-now and select “Lois Ludwig Memorial Scholarship” in the drop-down menu.

MARK FODNESS SCHOLARSHIP FUND HONORS MEMORY OF BELOVED BEMIDJI TEACHER, COACH

Two years past her husband’s sudden passing, Karen Fodness reflected on how she observed Mark’s lasting impact on the world through the way he raised their three children.

“He empowered his kids and me – even when we didn’t want to be – but he was the mover and the shaker; he was the leader,” Karen said. “He wanted to build us up, to make us believe we could do anything.”

That drive to bring out the best in people flowed through all of Mark Fodness’s roles: He taught history for 32 years at Bemidji Middle School, coached 33 seasons of tennis at Bemidji High School, and coached seven years of tennis at Bemidji State University.

“He was such a live wire to me and I had never met anyone like him. It was just like you hear people talk about finding your person – he was it (for me),” Karen said. “He did a lot educationally here – he just loved it. If he was interested in something, he’d go full force. … He was a teacher, because that’s who he was in everything he did, a teacher who helps you realize who you are and what you can do.”

Mark also coached speech and debate, as well as football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. On the latter teams, he often coached his older son, Kyle, who was able to observe his father as a coach as well.

Kyle himself now teaches at Bemidji Middle School and also coaches the tennis teams at Bemidji High School and Bemidji State University.

‘A teacher who helps you realize who you are and what you can do’

Photography provided by Lainie Hiller Photography in support of Mark Fodness Scholarship and Northwest Minnesota Foundation

“I never felt at all any pressure to go into teaching, or any pressure to go into coaching or even play certain sports,” Kyle said. “(The message) was just, ‘Whatever you choose to do, you try to do it well and as best you can.’”

Kyle acknowledged, though, that as a son and athlete he was able to see his father successfully cultivate fun learning environments, on the field, on the court, and in the classroom – and while doing so, he positively impacted his students’ lives.

“There are many more important things in the world in sports, even though we love sports; they’re a great way to compete and they're a great way to bring people together and stay healthy and do all those things,” Kyle said. “But I don’t know that I’d ever coach professional sports. The more sports get away from growing and learning as a person, the less fun I would have coaching. Coaching is a

way to learn, playing sports is a way to learn, being in the classroom is a way to learn. The emphasis is learning and growing as a person.”

Mark died in November 2020 and the ongoing pandemic limited the number of people who could attend his memorial, but Karen said the family was flooded with letters, emails, and calls from past students who shared stories of Mark’s impact on their lives.

“I heard from a lot of people who said that he was one of the people who made a difference,” she said, “or he’s why they went into what they did.”

As memorials came in and family and friends were left to determine how to honor his legacy, the family established the Mark Fodness Scholarship Fund to support Bemidji students.

Kyle said that the scholarship is an extension of how Mark lived, noting countless times his father and parents helped those in tough circumstances, the many donations made without public recognition or acknowledged.

“It was just, ‘This is just what you do. This is what you do – you help people who need help … you always do the next best thing you can do to help people,’” Kyle said. “There was always that very generous spirit that you got to see, so this is part of that, to keep it going.”

About the scholarship…

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS STILL BEING ACCEPTED!

Applications for the Mark Fodness Scholarship – along with many others that are housed here at Northwest Minnesota Foundation – are being accepted through April 15th.

Students can learn about the scholarships for which they might be eligible by visiting the NMF website at www.nwmf.org and clicking on “Scholarships” at the top of the homepage.

The Mark Fodness Scholarship Fund supports students from Bemidji Area Schools who are pursuing a post-secondary education through a college, university, trade school, tech school or other accredited programs.

Preference is given to students who are majoring in education, exemplify leadership skills, or have participated in Upward Bound as a participant or mentor.

To support the scholarship, please visit https://bit.ly/3mpavAZ or scan the QR code here.

“This is what you do - you help people who need help... you always do the next best thing you can do to help people.”

—Kyle Fodness Bemidji

Step Up child care workshops continue to grow

Five years after launching the Step Up workshops to child care professionals, educators continue to see familiar faces.

“We have participants who have taken the same trainings over and over and over again,” said Missy Okeson, lead program officer in the NMF Child Care program. “The focus on what social-emotional learning is and how to apply it in early childhood settings has really benefitted child care professionals.”

Launched in 2018, the Step Up workshops are taught by educators with Peacemaker Resources, a Bemidji-based nonprofit that promotes communication, compassion and connection to develop respectful relationships and healthier individuals, families, and communities.

“It’s proven to be a strength … to bring people together to learn from each other and from the presenters,” said Chelsea Ottoman Rak, a former

BY THE NUMBERS

Step Up Foundation

The first Step Up workshop was offered in 2018. Since then, as additional workshops have been developed, that first session has become known as Step Up Foundation and continues to be offered to child care professionals throughout the region.

Since 2018:

175 total participants

94 participants completed the follow-up coaching visit (about 60 percent!)

20 participants have repeated the workshop

teacher who now works as an SEL specialist at Peacemaker. “A lot of those things that I learned being a classroom teacher are really helpful in the Step Up program, such as knowing how I want my students to feel, how I want them to be seen, how I want their voice to be heard.”

Step Up, having started as a standalone one-day workshop, has now become a series of three workshops and offers follow-up coaching sessions.

“What we heard was that (the providers) loved it, they want more, we should give them more,” Chelsea reflected, “and there is more. There are endless amounts (of trainings) that we could offer ... It was really designed as a way to continue to engage with these providers that we’ve had the privilege of working with.”

A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS

Step Up Foundation

Participants are introduced to the concepts of SEL and how to apply it in early childhood setting. Following the workshop, participants are encouraged to take part in individualized coaching provided by Peacemaker staff.

Step Up Next Level

Participants explore values and identify ways that values influence decisions, priorities, and relationships with others.

Step Up Community of Belonging

This focuses on cultural identity and which aspects may be associated with advantages or disadvantages, and discusses how we may use advantages to lift up others who may experience disadvantages.

Learn more! www.nwmf.org/stepup

CHILD CARE PROVIDER REFLECTS ON STEP UP IMPACTS

Cheryl Thomas is among the child care professionals who have come back again and again … and again.

“I took the first one (Foundation), I think, four or five times and then the second one (Next Level) a few times, and now there’s this advanced one (Community of Belonging) that I’m doing on March 8th. I’m really excited because I’m going to learn something new! I just hope that we can keep adding more and more (workshops) because it really does help.”

Cheryl has operated C’s Daycare in Red Lake since 2014 where she is licensed by Red Lake Nation to provide care for up to 30 children. She has a staff of eight, and each new hire attends a Step Up workshop with Cheryl herself.

“I learn something new every time I go,” she said. “One thing I take away from the social emotional trainings is being able to focus on the child, being able to offer them ways to be successful.”

Cheryl has also worked hard in her work to obtain and increase her Parent Aware rating to Four Stars. She has long been intentional about seeking out trainings and certifications.

“I want all the training and I want all the knowledge,” she said. “I want for my families and children to be more than just being a babysitter. I want to be known as a daycare provider who is a child educator.”

Finding balance

Karen DeVos reflects on journey from providing in-home child care to running 2 child care centers

Twenty-five years ago, Karen DeVos opened an in-home child care business in Ada.

Today, she operates two child care centers – the Little Learners sites in Ada and Halstad, both featuring complementary relationships with their attached senior living facility. The children and adults all benefit from one another, whether they be playing cards together, engaging in a game of flyswatter volleyball, gardening, or creating art and crafts.

“It’s amazing to have those interactions,” Karen said. “The ability for the kids to have these extra grandparents and really cool, unique experiences is great, and they’re able to see themselves as a bigger part of the world, of the community.”

NMF helped in the opening of the Halstad site by allocating funds through two grants programs. The pandemic initially delayed its opening but Little Learners West ultimately opened in January 2022, providing care for up to 50 children, including eight infants.

“Young children, families, and the elders of the community of Halstad and the surrounding area benefit from this child care center,” said Missy Okeson, NMF Program Officer. “Young children are in a great learning environment that includes a multiage, open program. Young families are able to bring their children to a quality program and go to work, knowing that their children are well cared for and learning.”

The transition to running her first center in Ada allowed Karen to be more available to her own family while also being able to help more families. As an in-home provider, she could care for up to 14 children, including two infants, with an after-school helper. The Ada center allows for the care of 39 children, including four infants. “It took me a long time to feel calm, to feel confident in my decision-making,” she said. “When it came to the kids and the families – that never changed for me – I lead by putting them first, always. But I didn’t know how to lead in putting my staff first, who’s more important. It took me a really long time to learn that.”

A PERSONAL DRIVE

What brings her joy in her work?

“My greatest pull to this work is helping families who wouldn’t otherwise have opportunities like this,” Karen DeVos said, “connecting the kids who maybe fall through the cracks, who are growing up in families that the community isn’t always super accepting of, bringing them in and leveling the playing field.”

An Ada native herself, Karen grew up in a family that lacked privilege and it didn’t go unnoticed how defined differences were between herself and her peers.

“If we can build relationships at 3 years old, maybe they’ll have a chance to be accepted at public school,” she reasoned. “It doesn’t go unnoticed when every 4- and 5-year-old girl gets invited to a birthday party except for one.”

This article is an edited version of a longer report that was shared on our blog. To read the full article, please visit www.nwmf.org/blog

“When it came to the kids and the families - that never changed for me - I lead by putting them first, always.”

—Karen DeVos Little Learners Early Childhood Education Centers