Events

Carnell’s Birthday Party for all 5-year-olds. Bring your required enrollment forms to the party to sign your child up for Kindergarten. Is Your Child 5 or Turning 5 Before September? Do you live in the catchment area around Carnell?  You’ll want to join us!  Free Games and Activities, Cupcakes and Goodies, Arts and Crafts. Monday, […]

  Summer's still on, but BACK TO SCHOOL is just around the corner, which isn't always a smooth transition, especially after the last few years. Being a kid isn't easy, so we're helping families in Philadelphia connect to mental health services available in their child's school. Children First is hosting a series of Zoom sessions: […]

Diego Matamoros is a Children First board member, and former principal artist with the Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera of Turin. He is joined by husband-and-wife duo Lilah Gosman and Miloš Repický. Lilah is a licensed professional counselor and former educator, and serves as President of the Music for Montauk festival. Miloš is the Hirsig […]

  Summer's still on, but BACK TO SCHOOL is just around the corner, which isn't always a smooth transition, especially after the last few years. Being a kid isn't easy, so we're helping families in Philadelphia connect to mental health services available in their child's school. Children First is hosting a series of Zoom sessions: […]

  Summer's still on, but BACK TO SCHOOL is just around the corner, which isn't always a smooth transition, especially after the last few years. Being a kid isn't easy, so we're helping families in Philadelphia connect to mental health services available in their child's school. Children First is hosting a series of Zoom sessions: […]

  Summer's still on, but BACK TO SCHOOL is just around the corner, which isn't always a smooth transition, especially after the last few years. Being a kid isn't easy, so we're helping families in Philadelphia connect to mental health services available in their child's school. Children First is hosting a series of Zoom sessions: […]

Have you been wondering what's s bad about private school vouchers? Join Children First and our partners on the PA Schools Work campaign for a discussion on vouchers, who benefits from vouchers, and the overwhelmingly negative impact that these programs have on student achievement. The discussion, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at Noon, will be […]

Breaking through antiquated and under-resourced systems to make the lives of children better isn’t easy to do.  But when you shared your lived experiences, ideas, and passion with us last year, we began a BIG conversation and BIG work to change that for Pennsylvania’s kids. Together we decided we wanted new models for mental health […]

  Throughout the primary season, we heard loud and clear that violence was the most important issue to be addressed by the next mayor, and the Kids Campaign continues to hold that any long-term solution to violence centers kids. Philadelphia kids must be S.E.C.U.R.E. Kids must have Safety, Education, Careers, Uplift, Recreation, and a healthy […]

  The Lead-Free Promise Project is pleased to invite you to attend the Chip Away at Lead Poisoning: The Lead-Free Promise Project Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Conference on October 25, 2023. The day will include presentations and keynote speakers with engaging panel discussions addressing lead paint poisoning that still affects nearly 8,000 Pennsylvania children every year. […]

The Young Professionals Advisory Council of Children First is bringing back their toy drive for a fourth year in a row!  Join us on Wednesday, December 6th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Uptown Beer Garden, 1500 JFK Blvd.  Bring a toy, get a free well drink.  Can't make the event?  Let us do the shopping […]

  The Justice In Education (JIE) Fellowship is a free program for young people, 7th to 12th grades, to learn how to be powerful advocates for public education and engage in the lawmaking process. REGISTER TODAY REGISTER TODAY

  February 7th is the one-year anniversary of the historic Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of education funding and the day after Governor Shapiro releases his state budget. Join Children First and PA Schools Work for a rally at the State Capitol, calling on lawmakers to meet their constitutional obligation and invest $5.4 billion additional […]

We'd love for you to tune in to our Budget Olympics event on February 6th at 4pm highlighting Governor Shapiro's wins for kids. REGISTER HERE to find out what the governor has advanced for kids this budget season. We're hopeful he'll hit the mark...tune in to find out! 

February 7th is the one-year anniversary of the historic Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of education funding and the day after Governor Shapiro releases his state budget. Join Children First and PA Schools Work for a rally at the State Capitol, calling on lawmakers to meet their constitutional obligation and invest $5.4 billion additional dollars […]

Apply here by Monday, February 26, 2024

  Apply here by Monday, March 11, 2024  

   Report on the State of Hispanic Children in Philadelphia.  Join Donna Cooper, Executive Director and Javier Suarez, Board President, Children First, and our partners to learn how we can improve Hispanic kids outcomes.  RSVP by February 28th.  

  All children in Pennsylvania deserve access to high-quality, culturally relevant mental health care.  This webinar will feature a panel of different perspectives, including advocates, clinical mental health practitioners, insurance payers, and youth voices to discuss the challenges of the existing system and explore strategies to improve the system.  

 Budget Advocacy Day Philadelphia Press Conference This year, Children First is doubling down on our budget advocacy in Philadelphia, and we need your help! We have a new Mayor, new City Council, and new Council President, which means it’s a good opportunity for our elected officals to make big moves to show Philly that they’re […]

  On May 15, join with us and hundreds of mental health advocates will march at the State Capitol building to call on lawmakers to invest more funding into mental health resources and professionals across the Commonwealth.  The rally will include speeches from mental health leaders such as Representative Mike Schlossberg and former Deputy Secretary […]

On the evening of Thursday, May 16, 2024, Children First will shine a spotlight on Vanguard for being exceptional leaders in making a lifelong impact on the lives of children. In words, deeds, and with resources, Vanguard has stepped up for every child to get what they deserve in life – a strong start.  For […]

JOIN US IN HARRISBURG MEET WITH YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE STATE CAN SUPPORT K12 PUBLIC EDUCATION   May 8: Join local advocates to demand adequate & fair school funding! May 22: Join our statewide coalition in a statewide rally & lobby day for fair school funding! June 5: Join us to […]