Fostering a Generation of Success
Thrive by Five Tampa Bay is a cross-sector network of organizations and families focused on the healthy development of the whole child ages 0-5. As a collective, we accomplish this by amplifying and accelerating access to services and resources available to all children because every child is everyone’s child. Our ultimate goal is to have 100% of Pinellas and Hillsborough kindergarteners demonstrate kindergarten readiness.
A child’s brain develops at a rapid rate. In fact, 90% of a child’s brain development occurs by the time they are five. This means that we only have a very small window of time to intentionally lay the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being for our children. Thrive by Five is a convener focused on strategic cross-sector collaborations that support the holistic on-time development of young children.
Our current early learning system is understaffed, underfunded, and inconsistent in the quality of care provided to infants, toddlers, and pre-school aged children. Evidence shows that children who get high-quality early education are more likely to thrive throughout school, enjoy healthier development, be employed and earn higher wages as adults, and raise happier families themselves (Abecederian Project & ALICE Report).
The Mission
Thrive by Five’s mission is to mobilize all parts of our community to create equitable opportunities for young children to thrive in school and in life. As a collaborative, we are working to build an early childhood system that’s equitable, accountable, responsive — because our youngest residents deserve equal access to every opportunity for success.
Tampa Bay is resource-rich, but too many of our kids continue to struggle. As an action-oriented organization, Thrive by Five is focused on measurable results, accountable leadership, and an ongoing game plan to help kids sooner rather than later. By bringing the right people to the table, and centering those who are often not given a seat, we can do this.
