About Kids First
Built Around One Belief: Every Child Deserves the Basics
Kids First of the Treasure Coast is a nonprofit that moves quickly, asks nothing of families, and puts children first in every decision we make.
Our Mission
Immediate Support. No Barriers. Every Child.
Kids First exists to make sure no child on Florida's Treasure Coast goes without food, clothing, shoes, or basic necessities because of where they were born or what their family is going through. Educators see the need first. They contact us. We gather what the child needs and deliver it to the school. The child never has to ask.
What We Stand For
Speed Over Process
A child who needs help today should not wait for a committee meeting. We move the moment a request comes in.
No Paperwork. Ever.
We do not require income verification, eligibility forms, or documentation of any kind. A description of what the child needs is all we ask.
Children First, Always
Every program, every delivery, every decision is made with one question: what does this child need right now?
Dignity in Every Delivery
We work through educators who know the child. No public handouts. No stigma. Just a child who has what they need.
Our Story
How Kids First Came to Be
A Gap No One Was Filling
Kids First was founded after its leaders saw firsthand that children in need were falling through the cracks of existing systems. Families were too proud to ask. Agencies required too much paperwork. Educators saw the need every day but had nowhere to turn. Kids First was built to be that place.
Educators as the First Link
From the start, Kids First built its model around educators. Teachers, school counselors, and childcare workers are with children more hours of the day than almost anyone. They see the need before parents report it, before agencies know about it. Making them the first point of contact was not a workaround. It was the right design.
Eight Programs. Three Counties.
What began as a single program to address food insecurity grew into eight programs covering weekend meal packs, emergency groceries, clothing, shoes, care packs, school supplies, and more. Kids First now serves children across Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties.
Still Moving Fast. Still Asking Nothing.
Kids First remains committed to the same principles it was founded on: speed, dignity, and no barriers. Every request is treated as urgent. Every child is treated as worthy. That has not changed and will not change.
Board of Directors
The People Behind Kids First
Our board brings decades of leadership in business, community service, and professional athletics to the mission of serving children across the Treasure Coast.
President
Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership to Kids First. A former site leader with Bank of America in Charlotte, he transitioned into the nonprofit sector 11 years ago, taking on executive director and operations roles where he built a reputation for running lean, mission-driven organizations. He leads Kids First with the same discipline and urgency he developed in the corporate world, applied entirely to the benefit of children.
[email protected]
Secretary
Carolann Roberts
Carolann Roberts is a business owner in Tradition, Port St. Lucie, and has spent 20 years giving back and helping community members in need. She brings deep roots in community mobilization to Kids First, connecting neighbors, organizations, and resources in ways that multiply the impact of every program. Her ability to rally people around a cause is one of the driving forces behind Kids First's reach across the Treasure Coast.
[email protected]
Treasurer
Tony Washington
Tony Washington is a Virginia Tech graduate, former NFL football player, and NFL Player area representative. He has been with Bank of America for over 17 years, bringing financial expertise and a lifelong commitment to community to his role as Treasurer. His background in professional sports and community advocacy gives Kids First a unique voice and a powerful network in support of the children we serve.
[email protected]
Event Coordinator
Rita Tariq
Rita Tariq is a journalism graduate whose early career has been defined by a commitment to giving back. She has volunteered her time across multiple causes focused on providing essentials for children and families in the community. Rita brings sharp communication skills and firsthand insight into the immediate needs within Kids First's service area, making her an essential voice in how we connect with the community and coordinate the events that drive our mission forward.
[email protected]What sets us apart
We Don't Make Families Jump Through Hoops
Focused exclusively on children. Every program, every delivery.
No income verification or eligibility paperwork. Ever.
Requests accepted from teachers, counselors, neighbors, and family members
Eight programs covering the full range of basic needs
Every delivery handled with dignity and discretion
Serving Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties
Join Us in Serving Children
Kids First is powered by people who believe every child on the Treasure Coast deserves the basics. Whether you give, volunteer, or spread the word, you are part of what makes this work possible.