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Children First Blog
Want to know the latest news?
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
November 30, 2019
November 30th, 2019 – Feel like consumerism is overwhelming the holiday season?
Beat it back by giving.
Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, Giving Tuesday came about as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season — particularly Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
It’s one way to make sure [...]
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 [...]
September 30, 2019
October 22nd, 2019 – What Makes a Best Place to Work?
Residential and commercial services, insurance, health care, social services, manufacturing services and a hair salon. The Herald-Tribune’s 2019’s list of Best Places to Work in Sarasota and Manatee contains quite a variety of workplaces, from larger companies to small and medium-sized companies alike.
And ‘alike’ is the operative [...]
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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. ![]()
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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. ![]()
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Congratulations Helen! ![]()
It is with the help of trailblazers like you that Children First continues to transform lives, now and into the future.
Check out this fun event by Suncoast Charities for Children!![]()
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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. ![]()
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Thank you, Suncoast Charities for Children!
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted. Long-time supporters Stephanie & Allen Hochfelder were featured in Sarasota Scene Magazine 's June edition for their incredible philanthropic efforts that continuously transform the lives of those most in need in our community. Thank you to Scene for this opportunity!! ![]()
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Learn More:![]()
www.scenesarasota.com/magazine/philanthropy-love-at-first-sight-stephanie-and-allen-hochfelder-wi...
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me.” - Jim Valvano![]()
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Wishing you a very happy Father's Day, from our family to yours. We hope you enjoy your special day!
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!![]()
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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. ![]()
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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! ![]()
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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. ![]()
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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. ![]()
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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! 🥳
March 25, 2019
Children First Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Sarasota County, has named Howard Berman, former president and chief executive officer of The Lifetime Healthcare Companies Inc., and Keith Johnson, certified financial planner and client adviser of SunTrust Bank, to its board of directors for 2019. Both [...]
April 1, 2019
Alyssa Simons, Elaine Smith, Jessica Rogers, and Gail Clay
March 27th – Children First was the recipient of support from All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church at their annual fundraiser, Jazzy Nights, on March 20th. Parishioners of the church have gathered over 200 books in both English and Spanish for our children and families as [...]
April 8, 2019
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 [...]
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. [...]