Children-First
Children First Blog
Read our most recent newsletter HERE!
February 11, 2020
February 11th, 2020 – By Kelly Ring Every morning, you can find Eliezer and Wendy Rivera walking their daughter Sophia to class at the Dr. Elaine Marieb Early Learning Center in Sarasota.
“They teach them really good,” said Wendy. “They learn a lot of stuff.”
They are taking part in Children First. The program’s mission is to [...]
February 3, 2020
January 19th, 2020 – Children First, Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services in Sarasota County, is excited to welcome the new slate of board leadership for 2020. Lisa Giglio is the former co-owner of Freedom Boat Club, and has served as an early childhood educator and Director of Education [...]
January 22, 2020
Children First, Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services in Sarasota County, is excited to welcome the new slate of board leadership for 2020. Lisa Giglio is the former co-owner of Freedom Boat Club, and has served as an early childhood educator and Director of Education at Sylvan Learning Center. [...]
January 13, 2020
January 13th, 2020 – Tampa, FL — WEDU PBS announced today the finalists for the 2020 WEDU Be More Awards. The fifteenth annual WEDU Be More Awards will take place on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the Bryan Glazer JCC in Tampa. The annual community event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Hall of [...]
December 30, 2019
December 24th, 2019 – Tampa used car dealership Car Credit’s “Corazones de Car Credit” charitable organization has selected Children First, Inc. as its monthly winner for December 2019. Corazones de Car Credit, a program which recognizes Tampa Bay area charitable organizations for helping those newly immigrated to the country, awarded Children First, Inc. $2,000.
Founded in [...]
December 30, 2019
December 20th, 2019 – The Harry Sudakoff Foundation has recently awarded $20,000 in support of scholarships to Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services in Sarasota County.
The agency also received $15,000 from the Bernard & Mildred Doyle Charitable Trust, $10,000 from the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Foundation, and $750 from [...]
Facebook Feed
The end-of-year celebrations continue!![]()
![]()
Our North Port campus held a special ceremony for all of the children who have completed our Head Start program and will be moving on to kindergarten in the fall.![]()
![]()
Parents enjoyed three songs prepared by the K-Risers, and everyone took part in the fun with visitors from Peace River K9 Search and Rescue Association Inc., The City of North Port - Government, Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, and Iguanaland! ![]()
![]()
Congratulations, K-Risers!
Thank you to our partners at Suncoast Charities for Children! ![]()
![]()
The 25th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival, held this past February at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, raised a net revenue of $315,000 for Suncoast Charities.![]()
![]()
At last night's Thunder by the Bay Appreciation party, Suncoast Charities awarded grants to six nonprofit partners, including Children First.![]()
![]()
Funding will support new adjustable tables and chairs for preschool classrooms and assistance packages for at-risk children needing shoes, dental hygiene supplies, and food vouchers.![]()
![]()
Thank you for your commitment to our children, families, and mission!
"Alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much." ![]()
- Helen Keller![]()
![]()
We had a great time celebrating our volunteers at our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast! Children First volunteers were recognized by our Board of Directors and Leadership Team for the mighty impact they make for our agency. ![]()
![]()
In 2022, our volunteers collectively worked 17 hours per day across our multiple campuses.![]()
![]()
This event was held at our Dr. Elaine Marieb Early Learning Center, where attendees heard from classroom volunteer and past Board Chair Katherine Martucci on the value of giving back to such an incredible mission. Children from our Purple Crayon classroom held a special performance of songs like Frère Jacques and Bingo. ![]()
![]()
We also recognized our partners at PGT Innovations for their Brighter Futures named opportunity of our Butterflies infant classroom. Thank you to our amazing volunteers!
Congratulations to Alyssa Simons, Associate Director of Donor Relations, on graduating from the Greater Sarasota Chamber 2022 Adult Leadership Class! ![]()
![]()
This nine-month program was designed to enhance awareness of the community and its needs by examining how leadership in the historical, geographical, educational, economic, governmental and cultural segments work together to perpetuate and advance the Sarasota County community. ![]()
![]()
During the program, Alyssa and her class completed a special project to transform the backyard at a foster home for Safe Children Coalition, including a new state of the art basketball court, refurbished lanai and patio furniture, a new fence, mural, yard work, and more. ![]()
![]()
We are grateful for Alyssa's dedication to our children, families, and community!
Calling all Kindergarten-Risers! 🥳🎓🎒![]()
![]()
Our Region A staff held a special celebration for the children who have completed our Head Start program and are heading to kindergarten this fall. We were joined by Sarasota County Emergency Services, the Oriole Bird of the Baltimore Orioles, and volunteers who face painted, handed out snacks, and gave out backpacks sponsored by TheZenith. Congratulations, K-Risers!
September 24, 2020
Terry and Bob Lewandowski are originally from Chicago, Illinois where together they hold a combined four degrees in Psychology, Medical Technology, and Industrial Relations from Loyola University. Terry enjoyed a career as a medical technologist in Chicago-area hospitals until the birth of their first child, upon which time she considers herself blessed to be able [...]
September 22, 2020
September 22, 2020 Sarasota has a legacy of strong leaders and innovators. Leadership Sarasota County, a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, is continuing that legacy by building a community of leaders for Sarasota today and tomorrow. This year, CEO Philip Tavill, Leadership Class of 1993, was honored alongside Pam Beitlich, of Sarasota [...]
September 1, 2020
September 01, 2020 | Sarasota CEO Philip Tavill took part in a conversation with other community thought leaders on building opportunities to pivot, survive and thrive during the pandemic.
September 1, 2020
September 01, 2020 | Sarasota Children First’s female leadership is a driving force behind the agency’s success as a four-time designated Head Start Program of Excellence. Their broad expertise helps the agency deliver excellence in program management and service performance, and guides the achievement of robust outcomes for pregnant women, at-risk children birth to 5 years [...]