MANKATO — Minneapolis-based group Project Success has partnered with Mankato Area Public Schools to help middle school students discover their passions.
Through the partnership, Project Success is hosting monthly workshops in Prairie Winds and Dakota Meadows Middle Schools that implement in-class activities to help students find purpose and grow their confidence.
The organization also hopes to use class-time field trips and other activities to bring the arts to students and families and expose students to opportunities in colleges, workplaces and nature settings.
In looking to expand to areas outside Minneapolis, Project Success Founder and Executive Director Adrienne Diercks said the organization looked at the Mankato community and recognized its proximity to a university, the arts and outdoor areas.
“So when we looked at our external programs, it also had a real opportunity for partnerships,” she said.
“Once we spoke with Paul and then (the) principals, it was really clear that one, the need was there, that the desire was there to have it and that we would make a strong, supportive partnership… and have a strong impact for students.”
The program currently works with sixth and seventh graders in the district but aims to expand up to 12th grade in the future.
Every monthly workshop looks a little bit different for students. For example, it could take the form of an imaginative film festival where Oscars are given out to encourage students to dream big.
But at the end of the day, Project Success Senior Program Manager Marc Bromaghim-Oropeza said it’s all about the students.
“For sixth grade, it’s kind of an introduction to dreaming and dreaming big, and seventh grade is all about goal setting and how to look at a dream that you have for the future but then actually set reasonable steps on how to get there,” he said.
Supt. Paul Peterson said the partnership is an opportunity to work with an organization that has been making a positive impact for kids in Minneapolis for decades.
“They have a very intentional way of working with kids to spark interest, motivate and really to allow the students to start to find their purpose and passions in life,” he said.