Recently, Children First received a six-year, $1,251,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to support families through their challenges and help them achieve success. This grant will provide Children First the opportunity to expand their award-winning Families First Institute, a holistic approach to addressing the needs of both the children and their parents together. “Our Board of Directors identified an opportunity to make a signature investment into a vital organization in our community,” says Teri A Hansen, President | CEO of Barancik Foundation. “This grant also opens the opportunity for other funders to collaborate with Children First and support their efforts to enrich the lives of those who need support the most.” The expansion will allow the hiring of new Vocational Family Advocates (VFA’s), whose goal will be to advance the economic mobility of parents with children enrolled in the Institute. Parents will have new opportunities to receive workforce training, education, and obtain employment. 

“The funding from this grant will be transformational for Children First. We could not be more appreciative of the Barancik Foundation’s commitment to children and families,” says Tavill. Expanded support for the Institute will empower families to gain confidence by learning new skills and achieving personally identified goals. With the expansion of the Families First Institute at Children First, VFA’s will develop a Parent Training Program to provide families with the opportunity to work in one of three areas: early childhood development, food service, or clerical services. Parents will train alongside Children First staff members to develop their skills while earning a stipend for their work. Once training is completed, they will have expanded opportunities for employment.

To learn more, visit childrenfirst.net