Press

Children First Blog

A Message to Children First Staff.

Want to know the latest news? You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!

March 18, 2020

Our Commitment to You During COVID-19 and Beyond

A Message from CEO Philip Tavill: As an agency dedicated to strengthening those most vulnerable within our community, we are reaching out to you, the members of our Children First family, directly: the children and families we serve, staff members, volunteers, supporters, and partners. Our highest priority is to ensure the health and well-being of the [...]

March 10, 2020

The Impact of the 2018 Giving Challenge

In 2018, the Giving Challenge enabled Children First to provide the highest quality early childhood education and family strengthening services to more than 700 children and their families. Our children were able to grow and dream in a safe space, receive the education and care they needed to thrive, and get their tummies filled with [...]

March 2, 2020

Children First Volunteer Celebrated for Long-time Service

Children First volunteer Tom Cook was presented with the Be More Involved Mason Dixon Award for Volunteerism at the 15th annual WEDU Public Media Be More Awards. Children First was also recognized as a finalist in three other categories, including the Be More Brilliant, Be More Relevant, and Be More Unstoppable 2020 Nonprofit of [...]

January 22, 2020

Children First Welcomes New Slate of Board Leadership for 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. [...]

December 30, 2019

Guest Editorial: Sarasota County’s children need you for a friend

By Reverend Brock Leach – Director, Children First Board, Chair Emeritus 2013-2015 In a world of big, future-threatening problems, how should we invest what poet Mary Oliver calls “this one wild and precious life”? I want to make the case for kids. As a minister who works to strengthen communities, I’ve become convinced that what fundamentally ails [...]

November 22, 2019

Children First Receives a $1.25M Grant to Amplify Family Strengthening Services

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 [...]

Facebook Feed

Children First, Inc.

1 day ago

The Children First family is in this together. Please reach out to the numbers below or your Family Advocate if you are feeling overwhelmed. #committedtogether ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Children First, Inc.

2 days ago

Make sure to follow our multiple social media sites for updates!
Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/childrenfirstheadstart/

LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/childrenfirstheadstart

YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/user/childrenfirstdevelop

Children First Website-https://www.childrenfirst.net

#committedtogether ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Children First, Inc.

3 days ago

Looking for something fun to do? We have remote volunteer opportunities! Share your creativity with us! Opportunities range from quilting to story time videos, and everything in-between.

If you would like to learn more, please email Jean Ward, Volunteer Coordinator @ jward@childrenfirst.net, or go to our website www.childrenfirst.net/volunteer/ and fill out a volunteer inquiry form. Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Children First, Inc.

4 days ago

Congratulations Mr. Tom!
www.childrenfirst.net/?p=4487 ... See MoreSee Less

WEDU 2020 Awards- Be More Involved Winner | Children First

www.childrenfirst.net

Children First volunteer Tom Cook was presented with the Be More Involved Mason Dixon Award for Volunteerism at the 15th annual WEDU Public Media Be More Awards. A steadfast supporter, Mr. Cook became a finalist in the volunteerism category after receiving an outpouring of online votes and was selec...

View on Facebook

Children First, Inc.

5 days ago

We encourage anyone with technology needs to take this survey from Sarasota County Schools: www.sarasotacountyschools.net/deviceneedssurvey ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

April 13, 2016

SNN: Children First Honors Philanthropist (Gerri Aaron)

SARASOTA – Children First recognized philanthropist, Gerri Aaron at a special ceremony Thursday, April 13th. Children First honored Gerri Aaron who has been extraordinarily dedicated to the program. She has made a gift to take Children First to the next level. The education wing was named after her. Children First is a nationally-recognized program of excellence that helps [...]

September 16, 2016

SNN Feel Good Friday: Children First Celebrates 55 Years

SARASOTA – Children First in Sarasota is celebrating 55 years of helping young children and families on the Suncoast. The organization is also in the middle of the Raise Your Hand campaign fundraiser. SNN’s Grant Boxleitner talked to Children First CEO Philip Tavill about the program and the fundraiser in this week’s edition of “Feel Good [...]

February 9, 2017

941CEO: Good Deeds (Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Wing Dedication)

SARASOTA– On Feb. 9, Children First, Sarasota County’s provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, dedicated the Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Community Wing at its primary campus. Keith and Linda Monda were instrumental in starting the recent Crib Challenge to encourage additional giving for the Raise Your Hand Campaign, [...]

March 25, 2017

Black Tie (Observer): Fairytale Ball teaches guests the power of a little pixie dust

SARASOTA (March 25th, 2017)– Between the cascading garden light-covered entrance and the columns transformed into enchanted forest-esque trees, guests walked into more than just a ballroom at the Children First Fairytale Ball. “A Sprinkle of Pixie Dust” was held on March 25 at Michael’s On East, but really, attendees walked into a fairytale that began with drinks, [...]