Gretchen Evenhouse & Christine Straley with WILD & WONDER!
What is your GOOD IDEA?:
As someone raising young children, we are part of a generation of parents who are changing the narrative for how we are guiding our little ones through the ups and downs of life. This is not always occurring within immediate access to extended family and so in comes the importance of leaning into our community of people and villages of support. Wild & Wonder came from the belief that raising little humans should not happen in isolation- especially after the last 2+ years we have all lived through. Parenting is built on trial and error and it goes much smoother when we know how to support our child’s social emotional wellness and development, navigate the challenges, know we are not alone in our experiences, and ensure we are honoring the wild and leaning into the wonder alongside a solid community of support. We are being challenged to be our children’s first teachers in the realm of foundational social emotional skills with the end goal being school readiness, advocacy for self and others, welcoming all emotions and individuality, as well as raising kind humans. Wild & Wonder would provide an inclusive community space within Traverse City that supports the social-emotional health and wellness of children in the early years. In addition, Wild & Wonder would give the community a child-led play space with the intention of building connections, an environment of support, as well as growth for children and adults alike. This environment will provide support, build perspective-taking, as well as empathy as grown-ups navigate the journey of raising empowered, social justice-oriented, and kind humans. The goal of this space in the community is to provide a sense of belonging and connection among children and their grown-ups while at the same time lifting up prevention programming as a way to empower young kids and their parents in navigating life experiences that may feel overwhelming, sensitive, and vulnerable. The belief that as humans, we are doing the best we can with the resources we have access to is foundational to the work of Wild & Wonder. The values of a community program such as this is rooted in finding people’s strengths, desire for social emotional wellness for children, as well as navigating social justice education. Our programming would be intentionally designed by a master’s level and licensed school social worker with training in social-emotional learning curriculum, dialogic reading and early literacy, social justice, and child development, including trauma-informed support. The physical space will be dual purpose in that it will provide a play environment for littles and their grown ups, but also be open for scheduled story times and social emotional learning lessons that families can sign up for with their child. Consultation on specific support needs, access to a small market of retail items (children’s books (focused in social justice & social emotional learning), sensory tools, art prints, etc.), as well as community resource lists and mental health community referral options will be available.
How would your idea make you COME ALIVE? (list your values, personal strengths and passions) :
My experience as a school social worker in Denver, Colorado and Traverse City has brought to light how powerful prevention programming and early intervention is, but also that parents/ guardians are their child’s first teachers. Not only is being a child an extremely vulnerable stage of life and development (the largest burst of development happening within the first 5 years years), but so is navigating parenthood and ensuring emotional and physical safety of our children, as well as the wellness of the adults. Raising little humans is built on trial and error and the primary focus of Wild & Wonder is to support parents in a community space that brings ideas, support, and learning together in an empowering way. Much of my current role as a school social worker is rooted in prevention programming, behavior intervention, and social emotional learning support and education for students and families. On a personal level, I have a deep love for using children’s books to teach social emotional and justice concepts, as well as for healing/ processing tough topics- grief, social dynamics, anxiety, divorce, personal safety, consent, bullying, etc.
I have passion for supporting and connecting children to their grown ups and empowering parents to be the best people they can be for their kids (and remind parents to give themselves grace). This work ignites excitement and joy in me because it places priority on our Traverse City community and all people within it, specifically those with little people in their lives and a desire/ need for support, as well as a better world for our children.
How will your IDEA impact our community?:
A community space like this in Traverse City would be extremely unique. It would hold space for a supply of professionally curated books and resources, but also be a space that could be used for various community events- story times, parent workshops, and mental health resources, as well as a child led play space with various gross motor, fine motor, and sensory opportunities for children to use and play on within the space . The belief that as humans, we are doing the best we can with the resources we have access to is foundational to the work of Wild & Wonder. The values of a community program such as this is rooted in finding people’s strengths, desire for social emotional wellness for young people, as well as social justice. Raising children can be one of the most isolating experiences there is, especially when we consider the last two years we have all lived through. Wild & Wonder would provide an intentional “brave” space for people with growing kids, to join in community together- building connections as they navigate challenges, joys, vulnerabilities, celebrations, and needs for support. Wild & Wonder is a community space built for the community- bringing together children and grown ups alike.
What stage is your idea in RIGHT NOW?
Early stages -Distributed community interest survey to social networks within Traverse City (approximately 75+ responses) -Formal Business Plan established -SCORE Mentorship
-Connection/ outreach with community members/ partners: Commonground, Northern Bloom Montessori, Elev8 Climbing & Fitness, Up North Pride, & Brilliant Books
-Pop Up Story Time in partnership with Elv8 Climbing & Fitness: Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 @ 10:00am
How can the community get involved or support?:
-Instagram: @wildandwondertc
-Facebook: Wild & Wonder TC
gretchen@wildandwondertc.com
Engagement and support as it relates to Wild & Wonder would be sharing in our excitement and motivation to get this program established. Attending one of our pop up events with your child within the community, following along on Instagram and Facebook, as well as spreading the word about Wild & Wonder to people in and outside of Traverse City. Any and all support as it relates to the development of this project is appreciated. Once a physical space is established, visit our child led play space and bring the children in your life. Support from start-up investors, funding mentorships, connection with local media and community influencers would also be welcome.
Will $500 make a significant impact on what you need to make this happen?:
The $500 is a generous starting point for something that has merely been a “Good Idea” and dream for over a year for me. Just within the last several months has there been movement and organizing to make this dream and vision a reality (much credit and thanks to Christine Straley in taking a HUGE part in this). The Fulfillament grant would be an amazing contribution to the business and would be the first form of funding we have received. Thank you for the opportunity.
How would you USE the $500?:
The $500 grant would be used in Phase I of the business plan as it relates to establishing the initial purchases of literacy/ bibliotherapy content to be used for story times and social emotional learning programming. This money will be also spent to secure marketing platforms, provide content for families, as well as establishing our LLC and Operating Agreements.
What will be PHASE ONE of your business plan, getting it off the ground?:
Phase 1 of our business plan and model will be to test within our current target market and social climate. We will work with local spaces that have a child care play space where we can meet to do a book reading on social emotional/social justice topics (based on our survey results), accompanying activity and then play time for the kids while the caregivers have an opportunity for Q&A with our experienced social worker/educator, as well time to socialize with each other.
At the conclusion of these events we will ask for feedback on the curriculum, delivery, activity, process, space and future hopes, as well as logistical stats such as location, parking, pricing and play space needs. We will also collect emails to keep for other survey needs or marketing use.
These events will begin as donation only.
