Children First Blog
Read our most recent newsletter HERE!
March 3, 2022
Not all heroes wear capes, and the philanthropic spirit of our community during the 2020 Giving Challenge helped to save the day for hundreds of at-risk children and families. During this time, our families were suddenly facing a crisis like never before due to the unforeseen circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Children First, 89% of [...]
January 14, 2022
Solar energy and sustainable practices are setting records across America and the state of Florida as demand for renewable resources continues to grow.
As part of an on-going effort in environmental stewardship for Sarasota County, Children First is working to create a more sustainable future through a cross-sector partnership, Partners for Green Places (PGP).
Launched in October [...]
October 14, 2021
We are proud to announce that The Challenge for Changing Lives has raised over $2.3MM in honor of Children First’s 60th Anniversary!
The matching gift challenge was led by the Diamond Circle, a dedicated group of extraordinary supporters leading the charge in advancing the mission of strengthening children and families. Their combined contribution matched, dollar for [...]
April 14, 2021
Children First was recently recognized as one of the top 50 nonprofit organizations to work for nationwide in the 2021 Best Nonprofits to Work For competition. The exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County ranked 24th overall in the medium-sized category.
Created by The NonProfit Times, the leading national business [...]
March 31, 2021
In honor of National Nutrition Month and our 60th Anniversary, we wanted to highlight four absolutely incredible partners of our #60for60 partner initiative:
Sara Dan, MBA, RD, Sarasota County Schools Food & Nutrition Services; Jim Simmons; USDA/Child Care Food Program (CCFP); Katrenia DuBose, Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN), DuBose & Associates Nutrition Management Company and US [...]
March 18, 2021
Herald-Tribune: Children First announces $1 million plus matching gift challenge for Sarasota County
March 18, 2021 Children First is proud to announce The Challenge for Changing Lives, a $1,060,000 matching gift challenge led by Children First’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Circle members. The Diamond Circle is a dedicated group of extraordinary supporters leading the charge in advancing the mission of strengthening children and families together.
Their goal is to [...]
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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.
Thank you to the New Sarasotans, a group of volunteers consisting of newcomers to the Sarasota/Manatee area, for packaging educational care kits for our children! Each kits contains new books and pajamas to be used at home.
