About First Steps Kent
Our community vision is that every young child in Kent County will enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and life. First Steps Kent is working with our community partners to make that vision a reality.
First Steps Kent is an independent nonprofit organization founded more than ten years ago.
Learn more about the history of First Steps Kent and the Early Childhood System in Kent County.
Our Team
The First Steps Kent team is committed to ensuring every young child in Kent County will enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and life.
Annemarie Valdez
President
avaldez@firststepskent.org616.808.9919Heather Boswell
Vice President
hboswell@firststepskent.org616.632.1016Tyler Aman
Data & Outcomes Analyst
taman@firststepskent.org616.528.4559Cati Cortes
Financial Accountant
ccortes@firststepskent.org616.528.4547Shelby French
Finance & HR Coordinator
sfrench@firststepskent.org616.378.6272Jill B. Salisbury
Fund Development & Project Coordinator
jsalisbury@firststepskent.org616.632.1004Kendall Smith
Communications Intern
intern@firststepskent.orgKristen Sobolewski
Shared Services Project Manager
ksobolewski@firststepskent.org616.632.1011Megan Streng
Communications Manager
mstreng@firststepskent.org616.528.4552Christine Timbol Larson
Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage Funding Administrator
ctlarson@firststepskent.org616.528.4548Daniel VanderMolen
Project Coordinator
dvandermolen@firststepskent.org616.528.4560
First Steps Kent Commission
The First Steps Kent Commission is committed to making Kent County a community in which all young children and their families can thrive. The Commission serves as our Board of Directors.
- Kate Pew Wolters
Co-Chair, Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation - Lew Chamberlin
Co-Chair, West Michigan Whitecaps - Bob Herr
Secretary-Treasurer, Community Representative - Melinda Johnson, MD
Community Representative - Karen O’Donovan
Community Representative - Dr. Juan Olivarez
Johnson Center for Philanthropy at GVSU - Julie Ridenour
Steelcase Foundation - Amanda Barbour
Children’s Healing Center - Milt Rohwer
Community Representative - Ron Caniff
Kent Intermediate School District - Michelle Van Dyke
Heart of West Michigan United Way - Kristina Donaldson
Parent Representative - Carl Ver Beek
Community Representative - Lynne Ferrell
Frey Foundation - Sean Welsh
PNC Bank - Maureen Hale
Great Start Collaborative - Doug DeVos, Emeritus
Amway - Sue Jandernoa
Community Representative - Claire Guisfredi
North Kent Connect - Kelsey Perdue
Michigan League for Public Policy


Funders
We want to thank our generous funders for their support of First Steps Kent and their commitment to young children in our community.













Financial Reports
2019 Audited Financial Statements
2018 Audited Financial Statements
2017 Audited Financial Statements
2016 Audited Financial Statements
2015 Audited Financial Statements
FY19 Form 990 Public Disclosure
FY18 Form 990 Public Disclosure
FY17 Form 990 Public Disclosure
FY16 Form 990 Public Disclosure

- Meetings
- Minutes
Meetings
Up Next
January 28
8-30 - 10-30 am
First Steps Kent Commission Meeting
Virtual
March 25
8-30 - 10-30 am
First Steps Kent Commission Meeting
TBD
May 27
8-30 - 10-30 am
First Steps Kent Commission Meeting
TBD
July 29
8-30 - 10-30 am
First Steps Kent Commission Meeting
TBD
September 30
8-30 - 10-30 am
First Steps Kent Commission Meeting
TBD
November 18
8-30 - 10-30 am
First Steps Kent Commission Meeting
First Steps Kent Commission Meeting