Children First was recently recognized as one of the top 50 nonprofit organizations to work for nationwide in the 2021 Best Nonprofits to Work For competition. The exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County ranked 24th overall in the medium-sized category.
Created by The NonProfit Times, the leading national business [...]
In honor of National Nutrition Month and our 60th Anniversary, we wanted to highlight four absolutely incredible partners of our #60for60 partner initiative:
Sara Dan, MBA, RD, Sarasota County Schools Food & Nutrition Services; Jim Simmons; USDA/Child Care Food Program (CCFP); Katrenia DuBose, Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN), DuBose & Associates Nutrition Management Company and US [...]
March 18, 2021 Children First is proud to announce The Challenge for Changing Lives, a $1,060,000 matching gift challenge led by Children First’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Circle members. The Diamond Circle is a dedicated group of extraordinary supporters leading the charge in advancing the mission of strengthening children and families together.
Their goal is to [...]
Children First is proud to announce The Challenge for Changing Lives, a $1,060,000 matching gift challenge led by Children First’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Circle members. The Diamond Circle is a dedicated group of extraordinary supporters leading the charge in advancing the mission of strengthening children and families together.
Their goal is to inspire the community [...]
March 15, 2021 First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, is pleased to announce its 60th Anniversary Co-Chairs and Committee members in recognition of the agency’s historic milestone of six decades of service to the community.
The 60th Anniversary Co-Chairs and Committee members are comprised of past and [...]
Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, is pleased to announce its 60th Anniversary Co-Chairs and Committee members in recognition of the agency’s historic milestone of six decades of service to the community.
The 60th Anniversary Co-Chairs and Committee members are comprised of past and present board [...]
We are proud to honor Helen Jones Dixon, who was the first ever student enrolled with the historic Newtown Day Nursery, now Children First, alongside her sister Katherine in 1938. Helen was given a plaque from CEO Philip Tavill to commemorate this incredible achievement. With roots running deep in the Newtown community, Helen is a long-time advocate for children and families in need. Congratulations Helen! It is with the help of trailblazers like you that Children First continues to transform lives, now and into the future. ... See MoreSee Less
Check out this fun event by Suncoast Charities for Children!Suncoast Charities for Children is a local non-profit located in Sarasota County. Net revenues raised from special events like this one enable Suncoast Charities for Children to provide financial support to several local non-profits, including Children First. Thank you, Suncoast Charities for Children! ... See MoreSee Less
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me.” - Jim ValvanoWishing you a very happy Father's Day, from our family to yours. We hope you enjoy your special day! ... See MoreSee Less
We are absolutely thrilled and honored to receive the title of Nonprofit of the Year from the Greater Sarasota Chamber at this year's Small Business Awards!This award is recognition of the work we do with our children and families every single day, and a reflection of our laser focus on mission. It’s also an acknowledgement of the incredible innovation of our staff and Leadership Team, children and families, Board of Directors, parent-led Policy Council, volunteers, and supporters. Congratulations to our fellow honorees in the Nonprofit of the Year category, Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc. and Senior Friendship Centers, and to all of the 27 fabulous nominees and winners! We would also like to congratulate our community partners who were honored today, without whom our work would not be possible: Jamie Kahns and team at Bank of America, Jeff Jackson and team at PGT Innovations, David and Stacey Crawford and team at Catalist Realty, and the wonderful team at Michael Saunders & Company. At Children First we like to say, “Many hands make light work of heavy lifting.” Without a helping hand, the burden can easily become too great to bear, so we wish to thank every single person who continues to make the difference for those we serve. On behalf of the entire Children First family, thank you to the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce for recognizing our agency as the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year! 🥳 ... See MoreSee Less
At Children First, our work goes well beyond child care: the education and nurturing environment that we provide actually impact the brain development of our children. Our teachers and volunteers, in partnership with parents and caregivers, help our students to gain the cognitive, social and emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten, college and [...]
Numerous studies assert that children in families with incomes below the poverty line are less likely to be read to every day than are children in families with incomes at or above poverty. Due to a combination of factors related to income disparity, by the time children are 5 years old, the ones in poorer [...]
A MEANINGFUL GIFT
Maybe she helped you learn to ride a bike and comforted you when you fell, or read your favorite book aloud, over and over again… Perhaps she nursed you when you were sick and cooked chicken noodle soup… Maybe it was her advice that got you through a tough time in school, [...]
Sarasota, FL – Head Start celebrated its 52nd birthday with community reading parties at Head Start programs around the nation. Children First joined in the fun to raise awareness of the incredible impact and importance of Head Start. Former Sarasota Mayor and current Commissioner Willie Charles Shaw joined the party on May 16th at Children First [...]