For nearly a decade, Katherine Martucci has been a guiding force behind Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services. From classroom volunteer to Board Chair, her deep compassion and steady leadership have helped transform the lives of countless children and families living at-risk.

In 2022, Children First dedicated its Teach­er Resource Room in honor of Katherine and her husband, Frank, following a major gift celebrating her board leadership and years of dedicated volunteerism. Together, they joined a committed group of champions to form the agency’s Diamond Circle, raising more than $2.3 million to expand access to early childhood education and family strengthening services.

A retired elementary educator and 2025 Junior League of Sarasota Sustainer Community Service Award honoree, Katherine’s connection to Children First runs deep, as the organization was founded by the Junior League in 1961.

With a philanthropic legacy rooted in love and action, Katherine exemplifies hope, creating opportunities for generations of children and families to thrive.

About Children First

• As Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services, Children First offers high-quality, comprehensive services to hundreds of at-risk children and families annually at multiple locations.
• Ranked in the top 1% of over 1,800 programs nationwide, only nine other Head Start agencies have achieved this level of recognition. Our agency is one of just two programs to receive this coveted designation four consecutive times.
• Our mission is to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development,
  education, health, and well-being.
• 87% of families enrolled live at or below the Federal Poverty Level ($26,650 for a family of three) and receive services at little to no cost.

ChildrenFirst.net 
(941) 953-3877
1723 N. Orange Avenue,
Sarasota, FL 34234