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
Recent Issues
December 23 – January 24
A Force to Reckon With
Nine years ago, a group of three very influential and impactful organizations whose mission is to support early learning came together with the…
Hatching New Ideas!
Ever heard the old adage, "The early bird catches the worm?" Well, it turns out this saying applies to early learning, too! The earlier children are…
Unlocking Joy Through Dance
ReImagine Dance is a local, nonprofit organization offering dance classes, at no charge, to young people between the ages of 5 and 25 with any disability…
Bradenton Reads!
The City of Bradenton hosted a ribbon cutting last month for the Bradenton Reads! Exhibit Grand Opening. The project, a partnership between the City…
The Man Behind the Camera
Station Manager Charles Clapsaddle, along with his Manatee Education Television (METV) staff and board members, have created a legacy here in Manatee…
Cornerstones of the County
We see the names Bishop and Parker on buildings throughout Manatee County, but who were Edward and Lillian Bishop and Mary Parker? How did they help to…