Engaged Communities Think Small connects parents and commu- nity leaders with knowledge and tools they can use. Although Minnesota is home to the second largest con- centration of Lao in the United States, the Lao community does not yet have any licensed providers. This is changing! Last year, community leaders asked for our help develop- ing Lao child care professionals. Shown at right, commu- nity members completed a Think Small workshop on early learning and the child care system in Minnesota. Every community wants the best for its children. Our Parent Empowerment program has informed and motivated hundreds of parents and guardians from Minnesota’s diverse cultural communities. Following up on school readiness and civic engagement trainings with Think Small, these Somali elders shown at left came to the state capitol to advocate for children at the annual Voices for Children Advocacy Day in April. Also at the podium is Denise Mayotte, executive director of the Sheltering Arms Foundation and co-chair of Minnesota’s Start Early Funders Coalition. page 6