By Dana Melius Special to The Free Press

The laughs, the smiles, the cries are no different. The journey? Much so.

More than 60 participants and family members in Mankato YWCA’s “New American Families” program joined in a year-end preschool graduation celebration Friday at the Sibley Park Pavilion. Ten 5-year-olds wrapped up enrollment in the educational and social programming for new immigrant and refugee families.

The YWCA provides the program using the “Parents As Teachers” curriculum, which supports Somali and Latino families in Blue Earth and Nicollet counties. The 13-year program receives funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, said Ceceli Polzin, Mankato YWCA executive director.

“This program is crucial because it helps integrate these families into the community, promotes early childhood development, and ensures that children are ready for school, setting a strong foundation for their future success,” according to the Mankato YWCA website.

Habiba Ahmed, of Mankato, watched and celebrated as her fourth child graduated from the prenatal to five program. Through her translator and program outreach specialist, Lul Omar, Ahmed praised the program and how it has benefitted her family.

“The program gives a lot of help for my children,” said Ahmed, 35, whose oldest child will be entering ninth grade in the fall. “I see a lot of benefit for education, for activity, for social and for getting together with families of other cultures.”

Ahmed’s 5-year-old was among the children who graduated through the program and celebrated. All are from Mankato or St. Peter.

Angelica Funes, the program’s Latino parent educator, says 24 children and families were enrolled during the 2023-24 school year. But there are another 25 on a waiting list, she said. Three families receive bus transportation from St. Peter, but Funes said transportation costs for expanding the program in Mankato are deemed to be too expensive.

The program utilizes two monthly home visits by Mankato YWCA staff.

According to the nonprofit's website: “Our services are dedicated to promoting healthy attachment and positive relationships between parents and their children, school readiness for young children (prenatal to 5 years), improved maternal and child health outcomes, and economic stability.”

Program manager Kristina Spidahl praised her team, particularly Omar, who serves just part time in the program. Omar’s commitment to the program and admiration from participating families was evident during the celebration, as she served up food and refreshments.

“She’s been with the program for nine years,” Spidahl said of Omar.

And for Ahmed, her mother’s hope for her children has grown in conjunction with the New American Families program.

“My hope, my dream is to have my children get an education, to go on to college, and to get a good job in this country,” said Ahmed, who left her Somalia homeland nine years ago due to the country’s ongoing civil unrest. Her mother and other family members remain there.

“One day I hope my children can help this community.”