What we do
NEXTGEN is the official family resource of Manatee County, featuring local events and good news around our community and is brought to you by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc (ELC). The educational and family resource magazine is distributed to the parents of 25,000 elementary school children in 47 Manatee County schools, with an additional 8,000 distributed to over 200 childcare facilities, libraries, medical offices, hospitals and other business offices throughout the county. Our new website features local events, community updates and interactive activities and games for children of all ages.
Latest Issue
Fall 2024
Recent Issues
The Pride of Palmetto
The Honorable Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor of Palmetto, has called the city home her entire life. As the youngest of six, Mayor Shirley, as most locals…
From Bradenton to Barcarrota…
My name is Robyn Bell, and this year, I had the honor of being selected for the Dr. Art Engelhard Student Exchange Program. This program, offered through the Hernando…
Building Brighter Futures!
In the Outpatient Pediatric Therapy clinic of Manatee Memorial Hospital (MMH), you'll see children at play. Board games and puzzles, climbing frames and…
The Dance Family
To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak, goes the Hopi proverb. For Michele Mercier, owner and director of Dance University in Lakewood Ranch, dance not only…
Leading the Charge for Safe Sleep
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) proudly leads a life-saving initiative funded by the Manatee County Government. The Sleep Baby Safely project…
A Sanctuary of Second Chances
On a quiet street in Bradenton Beach, among stately homes and rental cottages bathed in bright pastels, one property is not like the others. That's because many…