The mission of Children First is to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. This statement reflects the organization’s underlying aspiration for the successful achievement of Head Start and Early Head Start goals and objectives, and our main priority of kindergarten readiness for the children we serve. Children First Inc. holds the distinction of being a four-time Head Start “Program of Excellence.” Our agency is one of two to received this coveted designation four consecutive times, ranking our program in the top 1% of more than 1,800 nationwide. This designation is awarded to Head Start organizations that consistently demonstrate excellence in program management and service performance, and that continually support the achievement of robust outcomes for at-risk children birth to five years-old, pregnant women, families, and their communities. They must demonstrate financial integrity, program accountability, innovation, compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other regulations, and comprehensive quality. Only nine other Head Start organizations throughout the country have achieved this level of recognition. Children First is honored to serve children and strengthen families. Our continuous commitment to the mission has been made possible by our generous community and for that we are deeply grateful.

Senior Friendship Centers is a nonprofit organization serving older adults in four counties in Southwest Florida. We are THE safety net for close to 15,000 seniors living in our service area, providing over a half-million individual “units of service” to older adults in the areas of medical and dental services, caregiving, meals, exercise classes, lifelong learning, economic assistance, and socialization. Through state and local partnerships, we were able to improve the health of thousands of uninsured seniors on limited incomes. Tens of thousands of older adults in Southwest Florida have benefited from the Senior Friendship Centers’ programs and services since our founding in 1973 by Brother William Geenen, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross Order of Notre Dame University (C.S.C.). As an organization, our goals are to: -Empower older adults to live active, healthy lives to improve all aspects of health. -Promote good nutrition and physical activity to maintain healthy lifestyles. -Provide crisis/supportive intervention and help promote financial stability through education and community resources. -Allow older people to maintain their independence and live in their own homes for as long as possible. A belief in “People Helping People,” has been the foundation of Senior Friendship Centers for more than four decades. Volunteers serve in nearly every facet of the organization. Our award-winning centers and our clinics have drawn national and international attention as models for the delivery of programs and services to older adults.

Safe Children Coalition, Inc. provides services for 5,000 children and families in following programs: · Adoptions and Foster Care · Prevention and Diversion · Youth Shelter for runaway teens · HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) · Schoolhouse Link for homeless students in grades K - 12 · Achievers for middle and high school students exploring college and career readiness for first generation and low income students · Adventure Club After School Program · Youth Prevention Services providing counseling to truant, ungovernable, runaway, and homeless youth

Charles Nechtem Associates, Inc., founded in 1981, provides personalized, skilled counseling and intervention to help our clients maintain a healthy, reliable, and productive workforce. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24x7. We are dedicated to maximizing each employee's personal satisfaction and productivity at work and at home. We also create unique "niche"​ programs that are customized to meet your needs.

When people lose vision, it’s easy to lose hope. When veterans lose hope, it’s easy to give up. It’s easy to let the darkness define life instead of living life to its fullest. That’s why we develop extraordinary partnerships between our dogs and the people who need them, and offer our dogs and services at no cost, throughout the United States. We operate the most advanced training facilities of any service dog organization in the world. We create elite working dogs and provide life-changing services for people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children with significant challenges such as vision loss or the loss of a parent in the military. Southeastern Guide Dogs transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs, throughout the United States. A nonprofit with a national reach, we train dogs of the highest pedigree for people who are blind and for veterans, providing our premier dogs and lifetime services at no cost, without government funds.​ We've matched more than 3,100 guide and service dog teams since our 1982 inception, and currently have over 1,000 dogs under our auspices. Learn more.

Harry Chapin Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida, serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. We rescue food and distribute it through our food distribution programs: Care and Share Senior Feeding Program, Harry’s Helpings, Fulfill Mobile Pantries, In-School Pantries and our Partner Agency Program, which is a network of more than 150 partner agencies to feed people in need. Through these programs, we feed more than a quarter of a million people each month.

SPARCC's mission is to stop domestic and sexual violence in our communities. Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, Inc. (SPARCC) was formed as a non-profit agency in 1979. SPARCC is the only state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. All of SPARCC’s services are free and confidential. In addition to serving victims, SPARCC is actively engaged in promoting social change through community awareness and education, in an effort to prevent such violence in the future. SPARCC serves its clients through an Outreach Center in downtown Sarasota, satellite offices in south Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, a shelter operating 24 hours a day/365 days a year and at the local courthouses.

Organization History & Mission: The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County (BGCMC) is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. We are dedicated to assuring disadvantaged youth access to quality programs to enhance their lives and shape their futures. Nearly 2,400 young people benefit from BGCMC programs at the 5 clubs county-wide and through outreach programs. BGCMC offers daily access to a range of programs in 3 core areas: Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Health Lifestyles. Over the years, BGCMC has made an indelible impact on thousands of Manatee County youth. BGCMC offers daily access to its programs while incorporating 5 key elements for positive youth development: 1. A safe, positive environment: BGCMC is a haven where members feel physically and emotionally secure at all times. 2. Fun: Club facilities, staff and programs create a welcoming, positive environment that allows members to engage in play, enjoy their play time and be eager to come to BGCMC. 3. Supportive relationships: BGCMC ensures that every youth feels connected to one or more adults and has friendship with peers. 4. Opportunities and expectations: BGCMC staff and programs consistently communicate the expectation that every child has the potential to excel, be productive and succeed at the Club and in life. 5. Recognition: BGCMC takes every opportunity to recognize and validate Club members’ achievements and accomplishments.

Syracuse's go-to resource for unplanned pregnancy, parenting & adoption support. We are a pregnancy resource center and New York State authorized adoption agency.

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has changed its name to Collaboratory. But we’ve changed more than just our name. We’re committing ourselves to coordinating the solving of all of our region’s social problems on an eighteen-year deadline. So welcome to Collaboratory, the greatest community-problem solving initiative in American history.

It's in the darkness that the suns rise. The troubles of time tend to make them die. I have heard the story of the Sunset Hunters, Whose goal is to make them shine forever. --------------------------------------------- As a Sunset Hunter, you pledge to use your skills, power and words for a brighter, fairer and sustainable future for all living beings on earth and beyond. Your consciousness will be the exclusive judge of your actions. May the future recognize your legacy.

The mission of Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center is to educate and empower those affected by vision loss so they may enjoy happy, healthy and independent lives. Our vision is to transform our community so those with vision loss have the opportunity to participate, contribute and rise to their fullest potential.