Blog
Children First Blog
Read our most recent newsletter HERE!
June 6, 2019
Every first Friday night of the month residents of Gran Paradiso, gather together to enjoy Happy Hour in the activities center at the clubhouse.
In February 2019, Dick and Deborah Miller assumed the responsibility of hosting the popular event introducing a “monthly theme” with decorations.
The monthly Happy hour event gives new residents an opportunity to meet [...]
May 20, 2019
In the summer of 2018, Children First quietly launched a new endeavor with a focus on young professionals who have a desire to change lives across our community: Generation GIV. In their effort to create a greater and more meaningful impact through philanthropy, members voted on three different projects and opted to fund the [...]
May 7, 2019
Children First and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) are proud to announce the formalization of an Early Childhood Education Partnership. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education will complete their final teaching internship in Children First Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms. These students will intern with teachers in early [...]
April 22, 2019
On March 27th, a group from the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women attended a “Lunch & Learn” at Children First’s Marieb Early Learning Center. NCJW member and Children First Forever Ambassador Norma Cohen welcomed the group and spoke from her heart about why Children First is important to her. Vice President of [...]
April 15, 2019
More than 330 supporters helped to create happily ever afters for the most at-risk youth in our community at Children First’s Fairytale Ball: the Enchanted Library. The evening focused on the organization’s mission to strengthen children and families, and provided many opportunities to support the nationally award-winning Head Start programming through live and silent auctions. [...]
April 10, 2019
As colorful as the ballroom was, nothing compared to the shades of love that filled it at the Fairytale Ball on April 6. Thank you for sharing this enchanted evening with us.
Because of your support, children in our program will have access to the highest quality early education, their families will have the opportunity to continue their education or work, and many [...]
Facebook Feed
A heartfelt thank you to the Sarasota City Foundation for their incredible generosity! Their recent donation of $25,000 will play a pivotal role in supporting our agency's family strengthening services through the Nurturing Dads Initiative, an integral component of our award-winning Families First Institute.![]()
![]()
"We at the Sarasota City Foundation are thrilled to support the Nurturing Dads Initiative through the Families First Institute. We believe in the power of community and are committed to investing in programs that strengthen families and foster positive growth. It's our privilege to contribute to such a meaningful cause and see the impact of our support in the lives of families in Sarasota,” says Erik Arroyo, Founder, Sarasota City Foundation. ![]()
![]()
The Sarasota City Foundation has a mission to bridge the gap between public and private resources to meet the immediate needs of the Sarasota Community. We are deeply honored to be a beneficiary of their commitment to creating positive and lasting change. Thank you for your support!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Jennifer Mathey of Pixie Health Insurance recently donated to our holiday program, helping ensure this holiday season is magical and bright for all.![]()
![]()
Jennifer and her family are Children First alumni, making these gifts for our children and families extra special. Thank you for your support! 🌟What an honor. Pixie Health Insurance was giving a great opportunity to adopt ![]()
through Children First, Inc. Years ago this same organization helped me & my son so I felt it in my heart ❤️ to give back:). I just hope these gifts will help the family ‘s 🎄 Christmas a little brighter.
During the 2023 AFP National Philanthropy Day celebration, Children First was thrilled to honor long-time supporters and volunteers Kathy & Tom Cook for their continued commitment to our children, families, and staff, alongside volunteers from the Venice Area Quilters Guild, who have been stitching a legacy of love for our children since 2005. ![]()
![]()
Spotlighting the long history of caring and sharing that is so much a part of our local community, the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals annually honors individuals, businesses and foundations for their leadership commitment to philanthropy.
Giving Tuesday is tomorrow! ![]()
![]()
We invite you to join the national movement of building a world where generosity is part of everyday life. By investing in the quality services provided by Children First, you give the gift of a better life to our most vulnerable young children and their families.![]()
![]()
Thanks to the generosity of our Changemaker Collective, all gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $600,000. If you would like double your impact, please follow this link: www.childrenfirst.net/donate/. Thank you for your support!
May 3, 2022
On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, thank you to everyone for your thoughtful support of Children First during the 2022 Giving Challenge and being the one to create rays of hope and sunshine for our children and families!
We are proud to share that, with the match on top of the match [...]
May 18, 2022
As a current Children First parent and as a former Children First student myself, I want to share how this amazing organization has changed my life, and so many other lives in our community.
My daughter Maliya is 5 years old and enrolled in the Head Start program at Children First. She is getting ready to [...]
July 28, 2022
Congratulations to Early Head Start and Head Start Associate Director Brigette Davis (second row, sixth from left) and Director of Family Services Meredith Mitchell (second row, third from left) for their acceptance into and completion of the UCLA Head Start Management Fellows Program!
Designed from a strategic planning perspective, the [...]
August 1, 2022
For the first time since March of 2020, we are excited to resume our annual and in-person pre-service staff training event at the State College of Florida Lakewood Ranch Campus!
Children First staff gathered for a full day of professional development and training on July 27. VP of Programs Kathleen Sullivan and VP of Philanthropy Jessica [...]