First Things First welcomes Gerald Szostak, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club – Central Arizona, as its newest Board member.
Szostak, who has 15 years of experience in youth development, was appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey to replace Steve Lynn, who retired earlier this year. First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to strengthen families and help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Recommendations for which programs are funded are made to the Board by local councils comprised of community volunteers. The Board is charged with setting statewide priorities and ensuring that programs funded by the regional councils lead to improved outcomes for Arizona children 5 and younger.
“We are pleased to welcome Gerald to the Board,” Chair Janice Decker said. “I’m sure his insight – as a non-profit executive, as a champion of children, and a resident of rural Arizona – will be beneficial to our Board and staff.”
Szostak brings to his Board service extensive experience in planning and implementing youth programs and developing and sustaining community partnerships to sustain, strengthen and expand those programs. A resident of Prescott, Szostak said he is excited to be part of First Things First, since his work with youth has shown him that many children start school already behind.
“It’s not just a question of academics; kids arrive at kindergarten without the critical social-emotional skills that are so crucial for success – like self-control, working well with others and sharing,” Szostak said. “When you consider that 90 percent of a child’s critical brain development happens by age 5, the early years are our best opportunity to level the playing field and give every child the tools they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.”
He added that he looks at his work on the FTF Board as an opportunity to build awareness of the importance of the early years to later success.
“When we talk about improving outcomes for our kids, we often focus on the K-12 system and remediation,” Szostak. “I’m proud to be part of an organization that is working to build awareness that efforts to improve education need to start much earlier and that all facets of our community need to be involved.”
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