GOLD2022

Cedarbrook Center

Helping Children Worldwide

Brainerd, MN   |  https://cedarbrook.us

Mission

Cedarbrook's mission is to improve the lives of children and families through continuing education in child and adolescent development for professionals and parents. We provide direct services of neurofeedback, nutrition education, brain training, and counseling to youth and adults. We offer community education programs and Focus for Success: improving attention and focus with brain training. Since 2017, we have trained orphanage workers, counselors, and teachers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Results of the Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study guided the development of the St. Vincent Initiative: training for mentoring children, Stephen Ministry training, and mental health training.

Ruling year info

2013

Executive Director

Jerry Jensen

Program Director

Sandy Larson

Main address

2155 Antler Dr. SW Suite 110

Brainerd, MN 56401 USA

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Formerly known as

Grace Guidance

Cedarbrook Family Center

EIN

41-1741372

NTEE code info

Youth Development Programs (O50)

Children's and Youth Services (P30)

Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (P99)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Helping children worldwide build resiliency, improve focus, and overcome poverty and abuse.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Focus for Success

Educational and services to improve focus and attention, nutritional education, child development education, parent coaching.

Population(s) Served
Adolescents
Children
Ethnic and racial groups
People with disabilities
Economically disadvantaged people

The St. Vincent Initiative is our collaboration with localorphanages and programs for children in SVG. In August 2017, we conducted a Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study (NAFS) to see how we might be of assistance. Our initial analysis involved orphanages.

The NAFS recognized the need for training to help people serve children who have been traumatized. The population expanded to all traumatized children.

From 2018 - 21 we are developing a core group of adults to provide mentoring to children and adolescents at three levels:
• Kinship Partners training – to foster long-lasting relationships between caring adults and children and teens.
• Stephen Ministry training – to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to children and teens who are hurting. (Later, this might expand to serve adults as well.)
• Mental Health training and Spiritual Direction – to provide guidance to overcome trauma and abuse, and to find connection to God acting in our lives.

Population(s) Served
Adolescents
Children and youth

We provide volunteer staff, provide equipment, and assist in the development of an after-school Extended Learning Course. The program will follow the Focus For Success framework which includes a computer-based software called Play Attention to help increase focus, attention, and executive functioning.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Parents

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Program I: Helping traumatized children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)

Resiliency can be nurtured through a relationship with a caring adult who can share a sense of hope. We will train local community members to help children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines using 3 "layers" of accompaniment.

Program II: Focus for Success

Improve learning and school performance for children by teaching focus and attention skills. Develop brain healthy lifestyles using the 6 pillars of brain health

Program I:
Each child will be matched with adult mentor(s) based on their needs. We will provide training for adults to serve as mentors and models. Training layers will be:
• Kinship Partners training – to foster long-lasting relationships between caring adults and children and teens.
• Stephen Ministry training – to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to children and teens who are hurting. (Later, this might expand to serve adults as well.)
• Mental Health training and Spiritual Direction – to provide guidance to overcome trauma, abuse, and to find connection to God acting in our lives.

Program II: Cedarbrook’s Focus for Success

Children will learn to focus using Play Attention – equipment originally developed by NASA. Sensors read brain waves much like a stethoscope reads heartbeats. Students learn to activate the "brain waves for focus" by controlling computer activities ("games") with brain activity alone.

Other components fo our Emerson Focus for Success program include:

• Movement – physical activities that improve brain function and focus
• Nutrition – enjoy healthy brain snacks (and bring recipes home to share)
• Nature and Nutrition – plant and grow a brain-healthy potted garden
• Relaxation & Mindfulness – learn relaxation and calming techniques that improve focus (and likely improve sleep at home)
• Interact with others at brain-stimulating strategy games (chess, checkers, Go, and others.)
• Students will also coach peers to improve focus and gain the benefit of improved learning and focus for themselves

Few in number but passionate volunteers. No administrative expenses (all-volunteer).

"Large streams from little fountains flow, Tall oaks from little acorns grow." ~ D. Everett 1797

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Accomplishments

Mentors for kids in SVG

Needs Assessment & 3-layered mentoring planned

2 years preparation
5 trips
Enrolled local Mentor Coordinator & SVG Coordinator
Kinship Training in February 2020
Stephen Ministry Leadership training Spring 2020

Training teachers & counselors in SVG

150+ teachers / 5 schools
Working with & teaching traumatized children
Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies
Stress reduction for teachers & students
Developmental Assets & Adverse Childhood
Experiences
Communication & Self-Awareness training for 15 Peer Counselors

Attachment & Child Development training for Staff at 2 Children's Homes
Delivered 100 lbs of school supplies collected by St. Francis School

Emerson in Minneapolis

33 students served in Focus for Success

4 PA Brain Training systems acquired

2 workshops for 35 teachers

Financials

Cedarbrook Center
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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Cedarbrook Center

Board of directors
as of 08/30/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Jerry Jensen

Jerry Jensen

Cedarbrook Counseling LLC

Sandra Larson

Brainerd Public Schools

Brianna Jensen

Emerson Spanish Imersion School

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 11/20/2021

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Decline to state

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Native American/American Indian/Alaska Native/Indigenous
Gender identity
Female
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Decline to state

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 11/17/2020

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Policies and processes
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.