Partnered Program
Connecting Kids has established Partnerships with area Programs to utilize resources and funds in order to provide youth with the opportunity to participate in recreational activities. They have committed to helping your child fully engage in their chosen activity, successfully building relationships and confidence along the way. By working with Connecting Kids, these providers are ensuring that your child will not only have equal access to their chosen activity, but also equal treatment and opportunity throughout the duration of the activity.
Area Programs
Basketball
Saint Peter Youth Basketball Association
Mankato Basketball Association
Waseca Basketball Association
Baseball
Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association (MAYBA)
Waseca Youth Baseball Association (WYBA)
BMX Racing
Mankato BMX
Cheer
Minnesota Power Athletics
Choir
Mankato Children's Chorus
Community Education
Lake Crystal Community Education
Mankato Community Education
Maple River Community Education
Nicollet Community Education
St. Peter Community and Family Education
Dance
Dance Conservatory
Just for Kix (St.Peter location)
Mankato Ballet Company
Driver's Education (In Partnership with MN Afterschool Advance)
Lake Crystal Community Education
Maple River Community Education
St. Peter Public Schools
Safety & Respect Driving School
Equine
Teen Program: Equine Empowerment Experience
Golf
City of North Mankato
Football
Mankato North Mankato Youth Football
Waseca Football Association
Gymnastics
K&G Gymnastics
Mankato Area Gymnastics School
Hockey
Mankato Area Hockey Association
Waseca Hockey Association
Lacrosse
Mankato Area Lacrosse Association
Martial Arts
Kawatani Dojo, LLC
Southern Minnesota Martial Arts
Music Lessons
Southern Minnesota Music School
Multiple Activities
Lake Crystal Area Rec Center
City of Le Sueur Recreation
City of North Mankato
Mankato YMCA
St. Peter Recreation
Soccer
City of North Mankato
Mankato United Soccer Club
Waseca Soccer Club
Softball
Mankato Peppers (MAGFA)
Skating
Mankato Figure Skating Club
Swim
City of North Mankato : Spring Lake Pool
Mantas Swim Team
Theatre
Drama Kids (Blue Earth, Nicollet, LeSueur County locations)
Mankato Playhouse
Tutoring
Mathnasium of Mankato
Volleyball
West Area Volleyball Association
Wrestling
Mankato Wrestling Club
Waseca Wrestling Club
Additional Funding
Connecting Kids has partnered with YouthPrise & MN AfterSchool Advance for additional funding for our families. Minnesota Afterschool Advance (MAA) helps Minnesota families who meet income requirements use the powerful but underutilized Minnesota K-12 Education Tax Credit to help them pay for educational afterschool programs like tutoring, music lessons, and art classes.
MAA pays 75% of the eligible education expenses for activities, up to $1,500 per child in grades K-12. For example, if an activity costs $200, we’ll pay $150, and you pay only $50!
The income guidelines & specific programs are different from our main program.
Income Requirements
To qualify, your household income this year and last year must be $76,000 or less. This number includes your federal adjusted gross income plus:
Nontaxable Social Security and/or Railroad Retirement Board benefits received
Deductions for payments made to an IRA, SEP, or SIMPLE plan
Total payments from programs including MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program), MSA (Minnesota Supplemental Aid), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), GA (General Assistance), GRH (Group Residential Housing), refugee cash assistance, and emergency assistance
Additional nontaxable income such as contributions to a 401(k) or deferred compensation plan, workers’ compensation, interest and mutual fund dividends, pension and annuity payments, and grants and scholarships
The following are not included in your household income:
Medicaid
Noncash benefits from government agencies, such as food or food stamps, clothing, medical supplies, fuel assistance, and child care assistance or payments made to child care providers
Child Eligibility Requirements
In most cases, a child living in Minnesota qualifies if they:
Currently are in grades K-12, and
Attend public or private school or are homeschooled.
See additional requirements if you have a unique family situation to determine if a child qualifies. (Note: Students and parents are eligible if they have an ITIN—they do not need to have a Social Security number.)
Qualifying Programs
Programs are currently limited to the following:
Dance Conservatory
Drama Kids
Lake Crystal Driver's Education
Mankato Ballet Company
Middle School After School Program (Mankato CE)
Mankato Music School
Safety & Respect Driving School
St. Peter Driver's Education
More Information
Visit Minnesota Afterschool Advance for more information or to apply.
