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Region Stories

These stories illustrate how early childhood programs and services funded by First Things First make a difference for young children and families in communities across Arizona.

Honoring Carolyn Haro

Carolyn Mawson Haro, of Globe, passed away on July 24, 2025, in Tucson, after living with cancer. Fittingly born on Independence Day, Carolyn was known for her spirited personality and was often described as a firecracker.She was a… Read More

Home visitation program prepares Nogales preschooler for kindergarten and beyond

  • family support

​Nicole Velasquez had heard of the Healthy Families AZ program, which includes home visitation through the family resource center in Nogales, where she took…
Girl with water pot

Gardening encourages San Carlos Apache girl to make healthy food choices and stay active

  • health & nutrition

​Gardening became an adventure for young Kelsie Garland when she was introduced to it at Head Start in Bylas.Kelsie was part of a garden program called Grow…
siblings hugging

Parenting education class helps Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community mom prepare her daughter…

  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Sierra Conger lived in multiple foster and group homes during her childhood. She never experienced a sense of family, so when she found herself pregnant at age…
mother-and-daughter

Maricopa mom attributes kindergarten success to parenting education program

  • school readiness

Mid-year of kindergarten at Butterfield Elementary School in Maricopa, 5-year-old Ruby Hoeh’s reading indicators were assessed. She was performing at a…
smiling teacher

College scholarship a life-changer for child care provider

  • professional development

When Desiree Lohrenz decided to open a home child care center in Tucson, she wanted it to be the kind of early learning environment that would have a lasting…
Mom with son and daughter

Quality First preschool helps siblings be confident in academics and social skills

  • Quality First

Stephanie Carl faced hard times in 2013 when she found herself raising her preschool-aged children on her own.“I had been a stay-at-home mom, taking care…
Mom and daughter with daughter

Quality First preschool helps Chinle preschooler gain important literacy skills

  • language & literacy

Lola Wood was trying her best to get her young son Takoda interested in learning while they were together at home, but felt like he needed more motivation and…
parents-reading-to-kids

Former preemies get strong start at Quality First center in Kingman

  • Quality First

Avery and Ariya Espinosa were born 10 weeks premature, each weighing less than four pounds. They spent their first six weeks in the neonatal intensive care…

Reading bonds siblings in Graham County

  • language & literacy

Trever Sanchez’s favorite pastime has always been reading.His grandmother, Cindy Stratton, remembers first being introduced to the Dolly Parton…

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