Rooted in Connection
By: Kimberly Hendricks | Social Media & Content Development Intern, First Things First Porter County
Working at First Things First isn’t just a career move—it’s a return to what I value most: connection, collaboration, and community.
Over my 25+ years in early childhood and family services field, I’ve learned that real, lasting change happens when communities come together to lift up children and the adults who care for them.
Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats—working in a child care home, a child care center, with the state’s Child Care Resource and Referral program, in a local school’s Birth-to-Five initiative, and most recently at a college helping teachers earn new credentials. No matter where I’ve been, the common thread has always been helping people feel supported and connected.
When the grant for my last position ended, one of the first places I thought to check for employment was FTF. I’ve always admired how they bring people and organizations together for the good of families. When I saw the opening for a Social Media and Content Development Intern, it just felt right. An opportunity to learn, grow, and reconnect with the “why” behind the work I’ve always cared about.
What really stands out to me about FTF is their mission: “A collaborative of community partners creating a rich system of care, support, and services so that every Porter County baby born is prepared for a strong start in life.” They truly live that mission by working hand in hand with community partners. Too often, families are shuffled between disconnected services but in Porter County, FTF is helping to change that — making sure that families are supported by a connected network of people. That kind of collaboration doesn’t just strengthen families; it strengthens the entire community.
Being even a small part of this work—feels like coming full circle in my career. It’s an opportunity to contribute to something larger than myself, something that reminds us all we come together as a community, we all grow stronger.