Welcome to C2C’s Fall 2025 newsletter! As we step into a new season, I want to take a moment to celebrate some recent wins that reflect the incredible momentum we’re building together.

Our new doula resource page – co-created with Olmsted County Public Health and our Prenatal to Age 3 Network – is now live! It marks a meaningful step toward expanding access to empowering, accessible prenatal care information for our community. Huge thanks to everyone who helped bring this vision to life.

Our College Financial Aid Support Sessions continue to grow and realize positive results. In our second year, we have already matched the number of FAFSA submissions we saw in our first year, and the application season has only just begun. This mirrors the growth that our community is seeing overall. Supporting students and families in this process can take numerous meetings and extended hours. Thank you to all of those connected to this work!

All of our networks are poised for a fruitful year ahead. Due to the dedication of our C2C staff, network conveners and members, and Leadership Table, we are rolling out a new structure for convening our networks. It includes process and content changes to make network participation more sustainable.

Looking ahead, the 2025 - 2026 school year is shaping up to be one of our most dynamic yet. We’re deepening our partnerships, expanding our reach, and exploring new ways to amplify the voices, needs, and assets of all we serve. Whether it’s piloting new learning models, elevating advocacy efforts, or growing our leadership pipelines, there’s a lot to be excited about – and even more to be proud of – as we grow.

One major moment you won’t want to miss is our fourth Annual Education Summit in October. This year’s theme is “From Insight to Impact: Shaping the Future of our Systems.” The summit is more than just an event; it’s a space where we recharge, reconnect, and reimagine what’s possible when we work together to transform systems. If you're still on the fence, check out “Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Attend the 2025 C2C Annual Education Summit” for a glimpse into what makes this gathering so powerful each year.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Here's to a year of intention, impact, and innovation!

In partnership,

C2C staff at a mindfulness nature retreat to kick off the school year

Direct from the Exec

An Accessible Approach to Data Sharing

When Higher Education Feels Like a Lost Dream, Students (and their Families) Turn to Cradle 2 Career’s College Readiness Program