Children First Blog

September 30, 2022

Hurricane Ian Update: 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 [...]
August 18, 2022

Philanthropy in Action: Katherine & Frank Martucci

We are proud to announce the naming of our agency’s Teacher Resource Room for long-time supporters Katherine and Frank Martucci. We held a special ceremony with board members and staff in honor of their most recent gift of $150,000, directed by Frank in honor of Katherine’s board leadership and volunteerism.   The Martucci’s philanthropic spirits has them [...]
August 1, 2022

Preparing for the New School Year!

For the first time since March of 2020, we are excited to resume our annual and in-person pre-service staff training event at the State College of Florida Lakewood Ranch Campus! Children First staff gathered for a full day of professional development and training on July 27. VP of Programs Kathleen Sullivan and VP of Philanthropy Jessica [...]
July 28, 2022

Children First Directors Earn Prestigious Fellowships

Congratulations to Early Head Start and Head Start Associate Director Brigette Davis (second row, sixth from left) and Director of Family Services Meredith Mitchell (second row, third from left) for their acceptance into and completion of the UCLA Head Start Management Fellows Program! Designed from a strategic planning perspective, the [...]
May 18, 2022

Olivia’s Story: Getting a Head Start in Life

As a current Children First parent and as a former Children First student myself, I want to share how this amazing organization has changed my life, and so many other lives in our community. My daughter Maliya is 5 years old and enrolled in the Head Start program at Children First. She is getting ready to [...]
May 3, 2022

Giving a Head Start to a Brighter Future

On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, thank you to everyone for your thoughtful support of Children First during the 2022 Giving Challenge and being the one to create rays of hope and sunshine for our children and families! We are proud to share that, with the match on top of the match [...]