24+ Presentations
↳ The AES presentation roster boasts a wide variety of impactful sessions. Attendees can choose from breakouts focused on key education topics like literacy, SEL, cultural responsiveness, transitions, and family engagement. Local and state experts will provide actionable takeaways tailored to roles across early childhood, K-12, and higher education in and out of schools. These presentations have been thoughtfully crafted to reflect the four pillars of systems change: Shared Community Vision, Collaborative Action, Evidence-Based Decision Making, and Investment and Sustainability.
40+ Presenters
↳ The theme for 2023 is “Transforming Systems Together: We Are All C2C”. This is evident through the 40+ talented presenters who are giving their time & sharing their ideas with us at the summit! Coming to us with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, these educators, researchers, policy experts, students, parents and community leaders are ready to spark engaging conversations and cross-disciplinary insights to drive collaborative solutions. Your participation brings you into the fold of the community by difusing the work of C2C throughout your communities. We are all C2C!
21+ Organizations
↳Presenters represent over 21 vital education and community organizations spanning the continuum from early childhood to college and career. This cross-sector diversity will catalyze rich discussion and collaboration within and across education spheres.



We believe that every child and young adult can succeed cradle to career, through shared purpose, alignment and accountability among community partners.
Our Partnership has five shared goals:
That every child
– Enters kindergarten ready to succeed
– Succeeds academically through support in and out of school
– Completes some form of postsecondary education or training
– Enters and advances in a meaningful career
– Contributes positively to the economy and the community, resulting in healthy people, families and community
That every child
– Enters kindergarten ready to succeed
– Succeeds academically through support in and out of school
– Completes some form of postsecondary education or training
– Enters and advances in a meaningful career
– Contributes positively to the economy and the community, resulting in healthy people, families and community
WHAT IS CRADLE 2 CAREER?
Cradle 2 Career is a community-wide, community-owned initiative dedicated to educational equity. This comprehensive, cooperative, evidence-based approach to address education gaps is new in Rochester. It is based on the work of StriveTogether, a national organization that developed this collaboration model focused on using local data to make smarter decisions.
OUR ROLE:
Our Story
C2C Begins with a Question
November 1, 2016

In 2016, Rochester Rotary and United Way of Olmsted County asked “Are our education investments making a difference in kids’ lives?” They decided the answer could be better. Fast forward, and Cradle 2 Career is an emerging StriveTogether community, making a collective impact on the lives of Rochester’s youth.
Read moreC2C Joins Minnesota Coalition
January 1, 2018

In 2018, we became members of The Education Partnerships Coalition. The coalition takes a birth-to-career approach to eliminating Minnesota’s worst-in-the-nation opportunity gaps. We are grateful to continuously work alongside Austin Aspires, Every Hand Joined (Red Wing), Generation Next (Twin Cities), Northfield Promise, Northside Achievement Zone (Minneapolis), United Way of Central Minnesota (St. Cloud area), and Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood.
Read moreC2C Convenes Kindergarten and High School Partners
June 10, 2019

In 2019, Cradle 2 Career launched two networks of community partners: Kindergarten Readiness and High School Graduation. Goal of the Kindergarten Readiness network: All children are ready to succeed in Kindergarten. Goal of the High School Graduation network: All students graduation high school ready for their next step.
Read moreC2C Hosts Annual Community Convenings
October 14, 2020

In 2020, Cradle 2 Career hosted our first annual convening. This initiative is by our community, for our community; therefore, we must work together with parents, educators, businesses, and civic leaders to close disparity gaps and help all children succeed. Watch recordings of past convenings and join us next time!
Read moreC2C Helps Roll Out Shared Data Management Platform
May 4, 2021

In 2021, R-STORY (Reaching Shared Technology & Outcomes for Rochester Youth) entered the first roll-out stage. This shared data management system integrates school-based data with data provided by partner organizations. Cradle 2 Career provides project management and systems administration for R-STORY, allowing us to tailor programs that serve youth, demonstrate the impact of our work, and zoom out to see the big picture with regards to youth outcomes and services in our community.
Read more