From staff reports
An Austin woman received an award Thursday for being an outstanding local leader.
Lynn Spainhower, the director of Catherwood Home Child Care, received the annual Vanguard Award from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.
The foundation created the award in 2000 to recognize an outstanding local leader who furthers the principles of community and helps improve the quality of life for people in southern Minnesota.
Under Spainhower's leadership, the Catherwood Home is leading a new kind of childcare service consisting of 24-hours-a-day, nonstandard care with bilingual services and a commitment to meet the needs of the child and his or her family, according to the foundation.
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Spainhower's staff focuses on language development, school readiness, social adaptation and cultural adjustment.
Spainhower's talents and drive as a collaborator and coalition builder have positioned her as a strong advocate for child-care issues at the local and state levels, according to the foundation.
In addition to the award, the foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to Parenting Resources and Children Defense Fund in Spainhower's name.
The foundation is a donor-supported organization that tries to build strong communities and businesses in 20 southern Minnesota counties.
