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Situated in the heart of Minneapolis’s American Indian community, Baby’s Space and Tatanka Academy are located across the street from the Little Earth of United Tribes Housing Complex, a culturally specific housing development for American Indian Families. Despite a rich cultural heritage, many of the parents face the overwhelming challenges of poverty, isolation, domestic violence, inconsistent employment, depression, and chemical abuse.
According to a resident survey conducted in 2005, “the majority of families at Little Earth live in a fragile situation in which missing an appointment, lapsing in a
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lease payment, being cited withinfractions, or losing a job can put them on the brink of homelessness.”
Because of the chronic exposure to stressful life circumstances, the young children attending BABY'S SPACE and Tatanka Academy are at particular risk for experiencing social, academic and emotional challenges. Having provided services for many children since birth (and their families), we can see how chronic stress places these children at special risk for not succeeding in school, increases aggressive behaviors, and fosters poor peer relationships.
Because of our community-based setting, we are in a position to develop specialized skills for ameliorating traumatic impact on children and parenting. Our high-quality, enriched educational setting provides remarkable preventive and intervention services to ensure success of these vulnerable young children.
Baby’s Space serves as the foundation for creating and sustaining communities that will nurture children who will give back to their communities in the future. |
