$15K Grant Powers Free Preschool Program for 8th Year

A Florida foundation is investing in the future of children living in poverty, and the results show it's working.

The Wilson-Wood Foundation recently awarded $15,000 to Safe Children Coalition's HIPPY program in Nokomis. HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) teaches parents how to prepare their young children for school through reading and educational activities at home.

This marks the eighth consecutive year the foundation has supported the program, bringing their total contribution to $120,000. That steady commitment is making a real difference for families who need it most.

The program serves families eligible for temporary government assistance, many facing overwhelming poverty. All 134 children currently enrolled in Sarasota County face economic, social, and educational challenges that could hold them back before they even start kindergarten.

But the program is breaking that cycle. In recent monitoring, 100% of children ages 3 to 5 improved their development scores. Every single child transitioning to kindergarten passed their school readiness assessment.

Last year alone, HIPPY families read nearly 40,000 books together. That simple act builds vocabulary, listening skills, and attention spans while empowering parents who might not otherwise feel equipped to participate in their children's education.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches far beyond report cards. Children growing up in poverty face higher risks of academic failure, dropping out, and struggling with employment as adults. Programs like HIPPY change those trajectories before problems start.

Since 1992, the program has proven that early intervention works. By removing financial barriers and bringing education directly into homes, HIPPY gives disadvantaged children the same shot at success their wealthier peers have from birth.

The Wilson-Wood Foundation clearly sees the long game. In 2025, they granted $450,000 total to 29 nonprofit organizations serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, focusing on children, families, and social services.

When foundations stick with programs that work for eight years running, that's not just charity—it's an investment in breaking generational poverty, one storybook at a time.