The Duluth Center for Women and Children supports children and families who live in Duluth’s Central Hillside by providing resources that combine quality care and education. In collaboration with partners in the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Montessori community, DCWC will guide the education and childcare initiatives towards sustainability and expansion. When Montessori principles are applied in the wider context of society, the possibilities are vast and all-encompassing.
Montessori is a child-centered and child-led approach to education that holistically embeds children’s rights. It is an approach designed to support the child’s intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development through active exploration, choice, and independent learning. The aim of the Montessori approach is for the child’s optimal development, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially to naturally unfold. It is appropriate for all children, no matter their adversities, providing a prepared environment in which to gain positive experiences and heal.
The Duluth Center for Women and Children provides resources for women to move from education to opportunities through the development of social enterprise. The vision of the social enterprise is centered on developing financial, physical, and mental health supports for women who are marginalized in our community. By providing opportunities for women to participate using existing skills, work within a flexible schedule, engage in work with others, and gain earning they are able to move forward personally and bring positive change to their community.