OUR PROGRAMS
Supporting Children in Our CommunityChrist Child Society Naples Programs
Christ Child Society Naples now manages nine major programs in Collier County focused on four primary Mission objectives: Infant Care, Basic Needs, Literacy, and College and Technical School Scholarships for qualifying children of Habitat for Humanity homes.
Infant Care
LAYETTES:
Layettes are an integral feature of all Christ Child chapters. Christ Child Society of Naples volunteers assemble layettes (to date more than 12,000) to be distributed to first-time mothers in need through social service agencies in Naples and Immokalee. Members and friends knit and crochet the signature piece of the layette, a handmade baby blanket. Also included in each layette are diapers, clothing, and baby books, as well as the book Bringing Baby Home which teaches parenting skills and is available in English, Spanish and Creole.
Literacy
ELLM (Early Literacy and Learning Module) READING READINESS:
The ELLM program focuses on active learning to improve the early literacy of young children. ELLM-trained Christ Child members work with children in more than 40 Head Start classrooms in Collier County.
FUN TIME EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY:
Fun Time provides affordable, quality early care and education for young at risk children from low income families. Christ Child volunteers work, as needed, in many areas, including the ELLM reading program. Annually, Christ Child supports the preschool’s education program and funds scholarships for summer camp programs, extending the children’s learning experience throughout non-school periods.
GOLDEN GATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and the newly established HERBERT CAMBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Golden Gate:
Christ Child members have volunteered many hours tutoring, mentoring and working in the libraries of these schools located in Golden Gate. Christ Child also supports programs within the school, contributing funds to purchase various supplies like daily planners for the children and equipment for the teachers.
Basic Needs
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Christ Child Society of Naples donates beds and bedding for each child in new Habitat for Humanity homes in Collier County.
GRACE PLACE and THE CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER:
Christ Child provides funding and/or volunteers to support these agencies which provide services for at-risk and impoverished children in our community.
Habitat Scholars Fund
Established in 2017 to celebrate the Christ Child Society of Naples’s 20th Anniversary, this new scholarship program has grown rapidly because of the generosity of this chapter, its members, and donors from the Naples community.
In 2018, 4 Habitat Scholars were awarded the $20,000 scholarships. These scholars were awarded up to $5,000 a year for educational expenses. These scholarships were renewed annually for 3 consecutive years based on continuous academic excellence at their educational institutions. These 4 scholars graduated in 2022, and two of them are going on to receive their master’s degrees!
The Christ Child Habitat Scholarship Fund is managed by the Collier Community Fund (CCF). CCF manages the fund and also administers the selection of recipients. Trained Christ Child members serve as scholarship application mentors and judges.
Now in its 5th year, The Christ Child Scholarship Fund is proud of its 4 original scholars and the 35 scholars who are currently enrolled in 15 different schools of higher education pursuing degrees ranging from medicine to the environment to cyber security and hospitality.