First 5 Lake County welcomes new executive director

First 5 Lake County is pleased to welcome Samantha Bond as its new executive director. Bond comes to Lake County after working at First 5 Mendocino County for nearly five years as the public relations manager.

“I truly believe that the work First 5’s across the state do has immense positive impact for families with young children and am humbled to be able to continue this great work here in Lake County. If we as a community can set our families up for success, then we are truly succeeding as a community,” said Bond. “While I am not new to the First 5 world and work, I am new to the work being done here in Lake County. I am excited to see the progress that has already been made and look forward to collaborating with partners and our community in the days ahead for the good of young children and families.”

Bond holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. And has previous experience working in group homes for children with severe mental and behavioral health disabilities. As well as, working as an Education Supervisor for Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. “My experience at the group home shown a light on the negative impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), while my work at Six Flags highlighted the other side of the spectrum where positive, enriching experiences abounded. We need to remember and consider that children and families come from all walks of life, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the resources necessary and to meet them where they are at. First 5’s upstream work helps prevent or at least provide a path of hope in the face of adversity and is critical to this balance.”

More information about First 5 Lake, its investments and priorities can be found at www.firstfivelake.org.