Children First Blog
Want to know the latest news? You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
January 13, 2021
Philip Tavill, the longtime president and CEO of Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive Head Start provider, has vivid memories of spending time beside his father, a physician working in public health, in locations from Morocco to Milwaukee. His South African mother’s passionate anti-apartheid stance also helped shape his concern for others. “Together, they [...]
January 13, 2021
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 2021. Liz Stamoulis, partner at Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen, Linda Monda, community philanthropist with a special focus on education, children, and families, and Joe Stephan, former Vice President for the National Cash [...]
September 24, 2020
Terry and Bob Lewandowski are originally from Chicago, Illinois where together they hold a combined four degrees in Psychology, Medical Technology, and Industrial Relations from Loyola University. Terry enjoyed a career as a medical technologist in Chicago-area hospitals until the birth of their first child, upon which time she considers herself blessed to be able [...]
March 18, 2020
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
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 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 [...]
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Today, we continue to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we celebrate our agency’s 60 years of commitment to creating opportunities for children and families in need. ![]()
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“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #MLKDay
Each year, #SeasonOfSharing covers crucial expenses for basic needs such as rental assistance, utility bills, child care, transportation, or food vouchers to help families and individuals in our region get back on their feet following an unforeseen crisis.![]()
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In celebration of The Patterson Foundation's decade of continuous support for the annual campaign, it has awarded Children First a one-time honorarium for our dedicated role in connected #seasonofsharing recipients with these much-needed funds from community donors. Thank you for the special recognition and support directly benefiting our children and families!
Thank you to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System for adopting so many of our children and families this holiday season across NINE different departments! You have made this year so special for so many, and for that we are deeply grateful. Thank you!
Special thank you to St. John's United Methodist Church for adopting 125 children during our holiday program this year and completely filling our large conference room with presents! We are truly blown away by your generosity and community good will. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Thank you for making this holiday season so joyful and bright for our children and families! Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year.
