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Children First Blog
Read our most recent newsletter HERE!
February 16, 2023
Children First, Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, is proud to announce that parent and Policy Council Liaison Maria Somera and CEO Philip Tavill have been honored by the Florida Head Start Association (FHSA) for their impact in elevating excellence in Florida’s Head Start Community.
Representing nearly [...]
February 2, 2023
Kathleen Sullivan, MACD, the Vice President of Programs at Children First, has been elected to serve on the National Head Start Association’s (NHSA) Region IV Board of Directors. In her role, Ms. Sullivan will help to oversee Head Start’s Region IV, the southeastern United States, representing more than 170,000 children, 40,000 staff and 300 [...]
February 1, 2023
We are proud to announce our slate of board leadership for 2023, and the addition of three new directors!
At our agency’s annual board reception on January 24, the Reverend Brock H. Leach was formally welcomed as Board Chair. Keith G. Johnson, VP at Truist Private Wealth, was welcomed as Vice Chair, Elizabeth [...]
October 20, 2022
As a supporter of Children First, you help us to provide high-quality early childhood education and family strengthening services to the most vulnerable children and families in our community.
We invite you to safeguard our life-changing programs for generations to come by joining our Legacy Society –Children First Forever – by notifying us of your [...]
October 12, 2022
Areli Gervacio, who now works as the receptionist at the Children First Orange Avenue campus, came here from Mexico in 2000, when she was only 15 years old. She and her sister joined her parents who had moved here four years earlier. The young mother of five children, now ranging in age from 2-18, has [...]
September 30, 2022
EDITED: October 3, 2022
September 30, 2022
Dear Children First Family,
We hope this communication finds you and your loved ones safe and well. In accordance with Sarasota County School District’s announcement today, Children First will continue to be closed through Monday, October 3 and until further notice so that we can support everyone directly impacted by Hurricane [...]
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Our Virtual Silent Auction is LIVE! ![]()
Please click the link to register and bid on our amazing items!![]()
fairytaleball.givesmart.com![]()
The auction closes at 6pm Sunday, April 2nd 2023.
Children First is proud to celebrate Children's Week! Our classrooms across the county created special artwork to hang in our state Capitol building. Each hand represents our commitment to Florida's children and youth.![]()
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As we like to say, "Many hands make light work of heavy lifting," and we are grateful for our community's support that keeps our mission moving forward each day!
Happy Fun Friday! ![]()
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On Read Across America Day, the children and staff at our Venice campus joined in on the fun with Dr. Seuss-themed activities. ![]()
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"Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!"
Please join us in congratulating Linda Watterworth, Director of Database and Grants Administration, on earning her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)! ![]()
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Linda was one of just six individuals from the state of Florida to earn this designation, joining over 7,700 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation.![]()
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Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations. To learn more, please follow this link: www.cfre.org/news/march-2023-class-of-cfres-announced/![]()
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Congratulations, Linda! 🎉
Thank you to our 23rd Annual Fairytale Ball: Through the Looking Glass Platinum Sponsor PGT Innovations! We are deeply grateful for your support of our children, families, and mission.
February 27, 2017
Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, was awarded the WEDU “Be More Informed” Nielsen Marketing Campaign Award during the 2017 WEDU Be More Awards Luncheon & Ceremony in Tampa on February 23. Children First was recognized for our “Raise Your Hand” campaign. The “Be More Informed” award [...]
October 26, 2017
Transitioning from one distinguished learning institution to another, Jessica Rogers will join Children First on December 6, 2017 as the new Vice President of Philanthropy after spending eleven years working in fundraising at New College of Florida, the state’s designated honors college for the liberal arts and sciences. As the leader of Children First’s philanthropy [...]
April 8, 2019
![Elizabeth [...]](https://www.childrenfirst.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Liz-Stamoulis-edit-scaled.jpg){kind=link}
Co-chairs Matt & Krystel Beall, Stan & Jo Rutstein, Carol & Richard Kalikow, and Lisa & Mitch Olan pose for a photo on the dance floor. (Photo: Kayleigh Omang, Observer Media Group)
Children First brought guests back into the tales of their childhood April 6 at Michael’s On East.
Fairytale Ball: “The Enchanted Library” celebrated the work Children [...]