Children First has received more than $80,000 in recent grant support to expand opportunities for children and families across Sarasota County.

Leading this support is a $30,000 grant from the Jerome & Mildred Paddock Foundation for family strengthening services, helping parents and caregivers build skills and access resources that support parenting, personal growth, education, employment, financial stability, and overall family well-being.

Additional support for comprehensive services includes $15,000 from the Wilson-Wood Foundation, $15,000 from the Bernard & Mildred Doyle Charitable Trust, $10,000 from the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Foundation, $10,000 from The Libertore Fund for Children, and $1,884 from the MSC Foundation. These investments help provide infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with high-quality early childhood education, nutritious meals, health and developmental services, scholarship support, and individualized care.

TheZenith contributed $1,555.88 for backpacks and school supplies for Children First’s rising kindergartners, helping prepare them for the transition from Children First classrooms to elementary school and a strong start to the new school year.

“Support like this strengthens opportunities for children while giving parents and caregivers the tools and resources to pursue their own goals,” said Children First President & CEO Philip Tavill. “We are grateful to each of these generous partners for investing in those we serve and helping build strong foundations for the future.”

About Children First:

Founded in 1961 and ranked in the top 1% out of over 1,600 Head Starts nationwide, Children First’s mission is: Strengthening children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. At multiple sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, and nutrition and health care assistance to children ages birth to five years old from low-income families. Through Children First, the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track. For more information, call (941) 953-3877 or go www.childrenfirst.org.
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