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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

District preschool helps prepare Tohono O’odham children for kindergarten

  • Quality First

​A preschool program at Indian Oasis Elementary School in Sells is providing quality early learning to children living on the Tohono O’odham Nation.In…
kids-graduating

Tohono O’odham Nation boy grows literacy skills and bonds with mom through daily reading

  • Tohono O’odham Nation

Daniella Parley wanted her son to be successful in school, but she didn’t know where to start. Gabriel Pablo was 3 years old when his mother heard about the…

Child care scholarship allows Whiteriver boy to prepare for kindergarten

  • White Mountain Apache Tribe

​​Brianne Endfield was determined to raise her son, Denahii, on her own and the right way.The 18-year-old, first-time mom was taking online classes for her…

Quality preschool puts Phoenix first grader at top of class

  • Quality First

​​Maria Jesus Cervantes’ initial experience with a poor quality child care center left her toddler crying every time she dropped her off.Through Quality…
mom-and-son-at-school

College scholarship helps Pascua Yaqui staff work toward dream of opening culturally relevant child…

  • Pascua Yaqui Tribe

​As Andrea Romero works her way through college, she looks at her son Isaiha for inspiration. “I was a young parent and had to work very hard to get where…
girl-at-school

Quality First preschool prepares Wittman girl for kindergarten success

  • Quality First

When Laura Aguirre’s daughter Idali turned 3 years old, she knew she wanted to provide her with a safe, quality early learning environment where she could…
boy-with-toy

Peoria boy benefits from high quality care in his early years

  • Quality First

When Victoria Roybal needed to find child care for her toddler, she wanted most to find a caregiver she could trust.This was even more critical for her son…
girl-by-river

Young explorer gets hooked on books

  • school readiness

​Young Kylie Riebli loves princesses, the color pink and paddling her own kayak while exploring the Verde River with her parents –she also loves to…

Child care scholarship allows Prescott preschooler to soar

  • Quality First

​​When Dove Gunderman or Prescott decided to restart her academic journey to become a speech therapist, her youngest daughter Juliette was 4 years old. The…

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