Children-First
Children First Blog
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January 31, 2019
January 2nd, 2019 – Like so many area residents, Frank and Katherine Martucci started off as Sarasota snowbirds. “We rented here for one month out of the year,” reports Katherine. Then it was two months. And in 2017, she explains that “we found we were spending more and more time here. We felt like [...]
January 31, 2019
November 30, 2018 – A tough start in life inspires Albert & Norma Cohen to help launch Children First’s Forever Society.
If anyone knows how crucial it is to get a good start in life when born into challenging circumstances, it’s Albert H. Cohen. The retired CEO, who had a highly successful career leading large [...]
January 31, 2019
October 9, 2018 – Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota and the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida, located in New Port Richey, recently held a ribbon-cutting event at Children First to launch a new mobile audiology service for children from low-income families living in the area.
Part of an effort involving Sertoma clubs from [...]
October 8, 2018
As of mid-day on Monday, October 8 Sarasota County is NOT under a hurricane or tropical storm watch or warning.
Children First’s policy is to follow the Sarasota County School’s closure schedule.
If the Sarasota County Schools close, Children First closes all of its sites.
If there is localized flooding, Children First may close sites on a site [...]
July 18, 2018
Just in time for the HotelPlanner Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival Kickoff, Powerboat P1 CEO, Azam Rangoonwala and Scott Free Racing team member Kim Kildahl paid a special visit to some of our preschoolers! They read to the children and taught them about boats before heading outside to see Scott free Racing’s Boatfloater powerboat. This was [...]
May 26, 2018
Children First staff recently attended a two-day Health Care Institute (HCI) that was hosted by the UCLA Anderson School of Business and the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness. HCI is designed to assist grantees in improving the health of their staff, families, and children, while strengthening the communities in which they work. Participation in [...]
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The end-of-year celebrations continue!![]()
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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.![]()
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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! ![]()
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Congratulations, K-Risers!
Thank you to our partners at Suncoast Charities for Children! ![]()
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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.![]()
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At last night's Thunder by the Bay Appreciation party, Suncoast Charities awarded grants to six nonprofit partners, including Children First.![]()
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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.![]()
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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![]()
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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. ![]()
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In 2022, our volunteers collectively worked 17 hours per day across our multiple campuses.![]()
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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. ![]()
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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! ![]()
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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. ![]()
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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. ![]()
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We are grateful for Alyssa's dedication to our children, families, and community!
Calling all Kindergarten-Risers! 🥳🎓🎒![]()
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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!
November 22, 2019
Dropping your child off at a safe and reliable preschool should ease nerves for most parents, but for many, the challenges of the day are just beginning. Financial trouble, food instability, reliable employment, and access to education are struggles many families in our community face. That’s why Children First has to be so much more [...]
November 20, 2019
November 20th, 2019 – Here are notable new grant awards compiled by the Chronicle:
Lord Corporation
$1.04 billion to the Cleveland Clinic, Duke University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Southern California. The manufacturing company in Cary, N.C., was recently purchased by Parker-Hannifin for $3.675 billion. Thomas Lord, who ran his family-owned business until his [...]
November 12, 2019
November 12th, 2019 – Children First recently received a $20,000 grant from the Wilson-Wood Foundation to support Comprehensive Services for children and families living at-risk in Sarasota County. Comprehensive Services include early childhood education, nutrition, healthcare screenings, emotional and behavioral support, and family strengthening services for parents.
An important part of the agency’s Comprehensive Services for [...]
November 6, 2019
November 6th, 2019 – Dropping your child off at a safe and reliable preschool should ease nerves for most parents, but for many, the challenges of the day are just beginning. Financial trouble, food instability, reliable employment, and access to education are struggles many families in our community face. That’s why Children First has to [...]