About Us
Village Growth Network supports adults in nurturing radically respectful relationships with children under six, fostering a foundation of freedom and joy that results in trust, empathy, and mutual understanding within families and communities.
We envision a world where every child grows up in an environment of respect, dignity, and love, guided by adults who are equipped to meet their needs with compassion and intention. By positioning children as whole beings, rather than as ‘becomings,’ we transform how we relate to very young children and inspire a ripple effect of happier, more connected communities.
We focus our energies on the adults who are in direct relationship with very young children: family members, educators, health care providers, and community members. We bring them together to hear, validate, and support their joys and challenges. In community, we make new connections, share resources, and spark novel ideas. We create a village of people collaborating to build radically respectful relationships.
Guiding Beliefs
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We honor the inherent worth of every person - children and adults. We center our attention on appreciating children as complete beings, rather than as ‘becomings’.
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We cultivate deep understanding and compassion as the foundation of all relationships.
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We believe strong, authentic relationships are the cornerstone of personal and communal well-being.
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We encourage curiosity, creativity, reflection, and growth for adults and children alike.
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We strive to create practices and mindsets that benefit individuals, families, and community circles small and large.
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We embrace the transformative power of joy, play, and wonder in human connection and look to children as our guides in this practice.
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We are committed to equity, inclusion, and the dismantling of systemic barriers, especially ageism, to ensure that every person has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Team
Jennifer Stone
Jennifer has 30 years of experience in speech-language pathology with all ages. She specializes in early intervention and literacy and is passionate about helping families navigate language delays, hearing loss, autism, speech sound disorders, literacy access, and reading challenges. She has studied collective impact, critical literacy, picture book content, and learning theories. Jennifer founded ReadENC, a community literacy coalition. She homeschooled her two children, both of whom are graduates of NCSSM and local universities. Jennifer loves being with children and respects them as creative and insightful individuals.
Kelly Partner
Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature and a Master’s degree in Teaching. As the Associate Director of Development at Duke Children’s, Kelly honed her community organization and marketing skills to advocate for medically compromised children and their families. Her passion for young children and literacy inspired her to found a 501(c)3 committed to increasing equitable literacy access. She also created Tots in Tents where she continues to act as a family nature educator, supporting families of young children in spending time outdoors. In addition to her vast and diverse professional skillset, Kelly is the mother of a neurodiverse preschooler and is a passionate practitioner of radically respectful relationships with people of all ages.