Forty Carrots Family Center has been awarded a $9,000 grant from John J. Gorr Foundation of Manatee Community Foundation to fund its Partners in Play (PIP) parenting education groups at Manatee County Public Libraries. The PIP program is designed to empower parents to strengthen the bond between parents and children by offering a safe, developmentally appropriate and creative play experience, within a high-quality learning environment guided by professional Parenting Educators who provide resources, referrals and support.

With 88 percent of Manatee County children in PIP not enrolled in preschool, PIP enhances child learning out of school and at home, building the foundations for lifelong learning and empowering parents to be their child’s first teacher. PIP programs are at six library locations in Manatee County and nine library locations in Sarasota County, serving more than 3,600 clients annually at no cost to families. PIP groups are open to parents, family members, caregivers and children ages 0-5, from all backgrounds and socio-economic levels.

Forty Carrots Family Center