Skip to content

Sign up for the newsletter »

First Things First First Things First

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

boy-in-church

Quality First center helps Whiteriver toddler prepare for kindergarten

  • Quality First

Audra Cosen of Whiteriver became a single mother to five boys just as her next to youngest son, Ari, turned two.Cosen, who worked as a full-time teacher in…
kids-playing-chess

High quality preschool environment brings out the best in Goodyear girl

  • Quality First

Zoe Mullins was only 4 years old when she began beating her father at chess.“It’s not that her dad is a bad player, but that Zoe is just that good,”…
girl-smiling

Nogales mother learns how to prepare her daughter for kindergarten

  • parenting education

Yesenia’s baby daughter Melanie was only 18 days old when her mother enrolled in the Healthy Families Arizona program in Nogales.She was already a mom to…
girl-smiling

Nogales kindergartner finds success at family resource center

  • family support

It was a random visit to a neighborhood park where Jessica Fierro first learned about the Nogales Family Resource Center.A conversation with another parent…
brothers-smiling

Pinal brothers use Fun Van to prepare for kindergarten

  • school readiness

Eli Macias was a quiet 3 year old from Casa Grande when he started participating in the First Things First-funded mobile literacy program called Fun Van. Soon,…
child-smiling

Parents As Teachers shows Cochise County mom how to teach son independence

  • family support

First-time mom Athena Reynolds was looking for a support system.“I was clueless,” Reynolds said, thinking back to when her son Alexander was born. “I…

Oro Valley family builds confidence in role as their child’s first teacher

  • family support

​​Angie Hitt had been an elementary school teacher for eight years before she had her first child. She enrolled in the Parents as Teachers home visiting…
mom-in-class-with-kids

Family resource center empowers Phoenix boy to find independence

  • family support

Felicitas Padron of Phoenix assumed that her children’s learning started with their kindergarten teacher. The mother of three learned otherwise at the…

Resource center helps Phoenix mother prepare her daughter socially and academically for school

  • family support

​​​On most days, Gaby Acosta refills the snack machines throughout various schools in the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix as part of her…

Stay Up To Date.

Join our email list to keep up with the latest news and information from FTF

Send me:

© First Things First. All Rights Reserved. • Privacy Policy • Accessibility • Website Feedback • Ombudsman-Citizens Aide