Giving/Donate

"Omari started Messina Children’s Center when he was 3 and he immediately felt comfortable with the staff, he ended up attending until he turned 9. The program was great for me as a parent because I had to work 2 jobs and late nights and they were open late to deliver a great evening program for him. The center felt like home and the staff became like our family. The curriculum they provided affected my son so much that now he is in the gifted program in the school district and just got selected for the Carson Scholars college fund. Starting out with Childcare of Southwest Florida gave him a strong foundation and love for learning and I will always be grateful for that.”

“All three of my girls attended Messina Children’s Center from 12 months to 8 years (one still attends). The staff at Messina are so involved and connected with parents and families. My girls are always talking about their teachers and all the fun things they do and did at Messina. My two school-aged girls get honor roll in public school now and my youngest is excelling in VPK at Messina. Once I saw how much my firstborn daughter was loved and learning so much there I knew when I had other kids that they would go there too. I have used the before and after school program as well because I am a working mother and have always felt blessed to know my girls would be nurtured and educated when I was at work.”

“Thank you for helping to enroll me. I love it and have a great time. The teachers told my mama tLet me just say how blessed and thankful I am for having the opportunity to receive your support during these unprecedented times. I really have gained piece of mind knowing that childcare tuition for my son is financially secured while I return to work. I appreciate all of the hard work you do by helping not only me, but the community as well, with staying afloat financially during this crisis. God bless you all.hat they are so proud of me. I never cry and I am a very good student. This is my favorite place!”

I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to enroll my boys in the scholarship program. As a single mom of two little kids, it’s very hard financially. We live paycheck to paycheck. Now a days, day care costs are extremely high. If it weren’t for this program, I wouldn’t be able to work full-time because I could not afford the full cost of tuition. Now I have been given this opportunity to work and to provide for my children. This has been such a relief for me both financially and as a mother knowing my kids are in great care and are growing academically. Thank you again as I am truly appreciative of this program and the great help it continues to give to my family.

Joseph H. Messina came to my rescue! I will always be thankful for their support and encouragement. I was going through a very difficult time, trying to get my life back on track. I was devastated. I could not afford full tuition for child care and was struggling. The Messina center offered me scholarship dollars which helped to stabilize my household and put food on the table during this difficult time. I was so overwhelmed by their commitment to our family that I started volunteering in the gardens. It was my therapy. Today I am strong, and I have found my happy place!

Being a single mother with very few people I trust to take care of my child, this scholarship has meant me returning to work full time knowing that my daughter is able to be with the teachers who have helped raise her and mold her into the beautiful little soul she is. I’m excited that she will have the summer to refresh her mind and make sure she has the best foot forward when she attends kindergarten next fall! I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity!

Saving grace is what first comes to mind during this trying time. Like many other families in the state of Florida, we held our breath and hunkered down during the COVID-19 pandemic. We took heed the advice from our government leaders and held tight to our little ones by creating a safe place within our home. As the state slowly began their phases of re-opening, we cautiously loosened our grip of protection. The calls to return to work were getting louder, yet we were unsure how to proceed without jeopardizing the health of our entire family. Without proper and safe childcare, we would not have the option of returning to our professions. Our saving grace was the CARES childcare scholarship. This gave us the hope and peace of mind to move forward with our new way of life. Hope was given to us by financial relief. We had no means of paying for safe childcare when we returned to work. Peace of mind was knowing our children were safe, loved and guided by the compassionate educators at The Children’s Learning Center of Southwest Florida. We are beyond grateful for this opportunity and for the devoted leadership of Director Martha Kebhart.