The Children’s Trust of Alachua County (CTAC) is a shining presence and a strong advocate for children and families in Greater Gainesville. Not only does the CTAC offer funding for those in need, but they also provide a range of services, from quality education to excellent resources, all while addressing the emotional needs of the community.
The Trust is a tangible example of the power of hope and love in action, offering invaluable programs and a helping hand to families in Alachua County.
“I’m so impressed by the tenacity of the community that never gave up on the vision of creating an organization that would support the families in the community. The campaign goes back to the early 2000s, and stakeholders in the community saw a necessity to provide services to children and families in need. That is how our Trust was born in 2018. We are in our infancy, but we are getting so much done,” said Marsha Kiner, Executive Director.
CTAC is the funding source for proposals approved by the Trust. “In Fall 2022, we received potential projects from the community. We are now finalizing our strategic plan to help inform us which projects we plan to fund following our four goals,” said Kiner.
Those four goals of the Alachua Children’s Trust are:
- All children are born healthy and remain healthy
- All children can learn what they need to be successful
- All children have nurturing, supportive caregivers and relationships
- All children live in a safe community
NewboRN Home Visiting Program
The NewboRN Home Visiting Program helps new parents with their first child by having Registered Nurses visit their homes. It was designed to give guidance on the physical and emotional needs of a newborn baby and familiarize inexperienced moms and dads with the basics of parenthood. Trained professionals answer questions and provide helpful resources.
Teens Work Program
The Teens Work program is dedicated to helping teens prepare for positions in the job market and gain valuable skills. The program focuses on resume building and interview coaching, while providing useful insight into the realities of the workforce. Teens Work opens the door for teens by imparting professional and life skills that they can use in the future.
Summer Camps Galore
The Children’s Trust also provides funding for over twenty-five summer camps, an excellent way for students to have fun while on break from the busyness of the school year. There are multiple activities and workshops to choose from, including music, art, sports and more. These camps provide the chance for area kids to get some much-deserved downtime and make lifelong memories.
The Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools
Freedom Schools is a six-week literacy and cultural summer reading camp motivating children to fall in love with reading. This program helps young readers sharpen their skills and avoid the “summer slide” –– a common problem when children do not have access to high-quality summer programs. Participants learn how reading books opens possibilities for themselves and the world around them.
In addition to developing strong academic skills, Freedom Schools also emphasize the importance of progress in the community, country and beyond. Through specific activities, students can make their mark on society and become advocates for change. These activities include:
- Integrated Reading Curriculum (3 hrs/day)
- Weekly field trips
- Weekly parent meetings/workshops
- Extracurricular activities (music, dance, sports, arts, etc.)
- STEM development
- Weekly programming at the intersection of arts, culture, entrepreneurship, education and wellness
- Teacher candidate and teacher professional development
