Our Impact

Building resiliency in families where parents are raising children together while living apart is key to the mission of Kids First. The ability of parents and their children to adapt to transitions, manage stress and successfully resolve conflicts in family life is key to their future health and well-being. Resilient families are made stronger by the challenges they face together, and Kids First offers critical tools and support for co-parents and children to reframe their experiences of separation as a restructuring, rather than being ripped apart. Our programming has a positive impact on communities every day, serving Mainers from all 16 counties and even reaching families in other parts of the country. Programming is open and accessible to people regardless of their location.

Children Impacted

Thousands of children are positively impacted every year by their parents’ commitment to the healthy, cooperative co-parenting techniques they learned at Kids First. When adults set positive examples, their kids thrive. Additionally, children who attend our Kids First for Kids! after-school groups learn new and useful skills through guided activities for managing life’s many challenges.

Parents Impacted

The variety of programs offered at Kids First help parents establish positive co-parenting practices by laying a solid foundation of skills and habits that will last a lifetime. Co-parents are still parents after their children become adults, and they may well be grandparents together some day, relying on the tools of communication learned at Kids First to maintain healthy bonds into the future!

Community Impacted

When family systems are strong, the whole community benefits. Research shows that kids who are free to “just be kids,” with minimal exposure to adult conflict or stressful communication, are more likely to thrive socially, academically, psychologically, and physically. And when kids thrive, there is no limit to what they can do and how they can impact their community in positive ways!

Have questions?

If you'd like to learn more about our programs or to apply for financial assistance, please email us at info@kidsfirstcenter.org, or call us at 207-761-2709. Need-based scholarships for Maine residents are made possible, in part, by a grant from the Maine Judicial Branch. The Kids First Center's goal is to make its programming affordable for all parents, children, and allies regardless of financial hardship.