Melanie Richardson, co-founder and Executive Director of Training Grounds, discusses how her organization creates quality learning experiences for children in the first five years of life to support healthy brain development.

Melanie’s passion lies in supporting parents with understanding child development so they can help their children flourish. She co-founded TrainingGrounds and the We PLAY Center, so parents and children would have a safe environment to play, learn and grow together with the guidance of parenting educators. As a licensed master social worker, Melanie is devoted to creating accessible and preventative programs for families and young children As the executive director of TrainingGrounds, she has fostered strong partnerships with community leaders and stakeholders to maximize resources and support for families. Melanie actively participates in various steering committees and advisory groups responsible for supporting early childhood care and education, infant mental health and early childhood leaders of color. Melanie is a Promise Venture Studio Fellow, a 2023 Volunteers of America Futures Fund Community Health Incubator and W.K.Kellogg Fellow cohort member. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Pennsylvania.

• https://www.mytraininggrounds.org/home
• Social media links
  • Instagram: @mytgnola
  • Twitter: @mytgnola
  • Facebook: @mytgnola
  • Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/melanie504

Red Bean Baby talks about a lot of difficult, potentially triggering things. Take care of yourself and your mental health. Learn about more resources here on our website (https://www.covenanthousenola.org/issues/mental-health-wellness/).

Dr. Corine Brown, or Dr. C’Ma, a social worker and friend of Covenant House, can help you access more resources. Meet Dr. C’Ma here: https://themindbodyservicecollective.com/

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