2026 Top Philadelphia Family LOVE Story Finalists
Vote for your favorite organization from our LOVE Story Finalists or share your own powerful experience by nominating one who deserves the spotlight.
This year’s LOVE Awards are all about the stories that matter mostโthe moments when a local business, organization, or expert showed up for your family in a way that changed everything.
We’ve selected the following LOVE Story Finalists (2/4 Editor’s Note: We received such a strong surge in nominations that we added three more Finalists) whose heartfelt nominations reveal the profound impact they’ve had on Philly families. These organizations demonstrate transformative impact that extends beyond their core service, building genuine community and supporting families through vulnerable moments. Each story showcases how exceptional careโdelivered with heart, cultural sensitivity, and unwavering dedicationโcreates lasting change in family life and strengthens the broader Philadelphia community. Now we’re asking you to help us decide who should receive a FREE featured LOVE Storyโa FREE Sponsored Story sharing their work and impact with our entire Philly Family community in our Best for Families Guide.
Family Focus Mediaโs team of local storytellers is dedicated to building community across the Greater Philadelphia region. Through Philadelphia Family, Main Line Parent, and Bucks County Parent, we share the stories that matter most to local familiesโfrom helpful guides and curated event calendars to spotlighting the organizations doing exceptional work in our region. Our membership program and collaborative sponsored content campaigns make it possible to provide these resources free to over 400,000 families annually, and we genuinely love partnering with the businesses and nonprofits who show up with heart. The LOVE Awards are one of our favorite ways to celebrate these champions.
- Here’s How it Works:
- Vote for Who Should Win A LOVE Story
- 1. Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool
- 2. Small Moments Foundation
- 3 Mi Casita (All Locations)
- 4. Crescent Lactation Care, LLC
- 5. The Goddard School (22nd and Pine)
- 6. Little Munchkins Playroom
- 7. The Aspen Grove School
- 8. Plymouth Performing Arts Center
- 9. Rutabaga Toy Library
- 10. Groovy Hues Painting of Greater Philadelphia
- 11. Origin Photo by Regina Miller
- 12. Philly Hypnobirthing
- 13. Greene Towne Montessori School
- Meet the 2026 Best for Families Nominees
Here’s How it Works:
Vote for one of our Top Finalists below by selecting your choice and sharing your contact information. Your vote helps us understand which stories resonate most deeply with our community.
OR
Nominate another organization that deserves recognition by sharing your own powerful testimonial about how they’ve supported your family through a vulnerable moment, created lasting change, or went above and beyond when you needed them most. Quality matters more than quantityโa single heartfelt story about transformation and impact can put an organization on our radar for recognition.
Vote for Who Should Win A LOVE Story
(Read about them below.)
1. Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool
Cloe Levin has built more than a preschoolโshe’s created a second family for children and parents alike. Through full Spanish immersion with native-speaking educators, children become confidently bilingual while developing into lifelong learners in a warm, joyful environment. Parents describe maestras who form “deep, lasting bonds” and become “trusted, cherished parts of each family’s life,” making Amigos a place where families truly thrive.
2. Small Moments Foundation
Rebecca has transformed her own grief into a powerful force for good, bringing unexpected joy and support to families navigating loss. Through community events, the golf outing, and direct assistance to children experiencing loss, she’s created a network of hope and connection. Her ability to articulate emotions and make families feel understood during their darkest moments has made profound impacts across the community.
3 Mi Casita (All Locations)
This Spanish immersion childcare network has revolutionized early education by combining cultural celebration with genuine family care. Directors and maestras treat children like their own, building tight-knit communities where parents form lasting friendships. Through monthly themed learning, outdoor exploration, and family events, Mi Casita creates villages that support parents while helping children thrive academically, socially, and bilingually.
4. Crescent Lactation Care, LLC
Katy Baker-Cohen has become a lifeline for new mothers during their most vulnerable moments. Her compassionate, expert care has transformed countless feeding journeysโfrom helping babies gain weight to supporting mothers through mastitis, tongue ties, and the overwhelming isolation of postpartum life. Families credit her with making breastfeeding possible when they thought it wasn’t, providing not just consultation but genuine partnership through every challenge.
5. The Goddard School (22nd and Pine)
Jon, Jillie, and their team have created a daycare that truly partners with families rather than just providing childcare. Their consistent communication, thoughtful programming, and monthly Parents’ Night Out give working parents peace of mind and breathing room. Teachers stay year after year, building deep relationships with children who arrive excited each morning and leave proud of what they’ve accomplished.
6. Little Munchkins Playroom
Nicole and Sara have filled a critical gap in Port Richmond by creating a safe, welcoming space where young children can play and families can connect. Their flexibility with families facing financial challenges, their attention to sensory needs, and their genuine care for every child has made their playroom essential. Parents describe staff who greet struggling toddlers with hugs and make accommodations that help families succeed.
7. The Aspen Grove School
This urban nature-based, Reggio-inspired program serving children from ages 6 weeks through 5 years has created a loving, stable environment where children genuinely thrive. Parents describe consistent schedules, familiar caring staff, and teachers who “often go above and beyond in ways that don’t go unnoticed.” What sets Aspen Grove apart is their thoughtful emphasis on nature and outdoor exploration, bringing those experiences back into the classroom to inspire curiosity and learning. Families feel grateful to be part of such a nurturing community, with children developing confidence and forming meaningful friendships in an environment that feels like home.
8. Plymouth Performing Arts Center
Under the leadership of directors Justin and Blaze, PPAC has become a creative home where children develop far more than performance skills. Parents describe watching their children gain public speaking ability, self-confidence, commitment, and responsibility alongside singing, dancing, and acting. The supportive environment helps students feel comfortable expressing themselves while challenging them to improve. Families note the tremendous growth in their children’s ability to memorize, learn choreography, and understand the importance of practiceโwith one parent grateful their son still prioritizes music lessons even through the demands of senior year.
9. Rutabaga Toy Library
Krystal Cunnillera has created far more than a toy libraryโshe’s built a genuine community hub for Philadelphia families. Rutabaga offers classes, events, day camps, and play spaces while championing sustainability and making quality toys accessible to all families. Parents describe it as a place where “both kids and parents get very excited” and where raising kids feels less isolating and expensive. What sets Rutabaga apart is Krystal’s dedication to giving back: supporting local schools like Thomas Mifflin, organizing neighborhood cleanups, and creating an inclusive environment that welcomes families from all walks of life. It’s become an essential part of the community fabr
10. Groovy Hues Painting of Greater Philadelphia
This painting company has transformed the contractor experience into something deeply personal. Families consistently describe crews who treat homes with “almost personal” careโdiscovering and fixing hidden damage without charging extra, keeping spaces clean for newborns, and approaching each project as if painting for family. Their transparency and integrity have brought peace to families during chaotic life seasons.
11. Origin Photo by Regina Miller
Regina has become part of families’ stories for over a decade, capturing not just images but genuine emotion and connection. Her ability to work with “rowdy boys and dogs,” to adapt when locations close or children melt down, and to make everyone feel comfortable has earned her deep trust. Families describe her as someone who’s documented their children’s growth with “warmth” and created “timeless” images that preserve the moments that matter most.
12. Philly Hypnobirthing
Estee Nadav has transformed the pregnancy and birth experience for hundreds of families through her hypnobirthing courses. Her teachings go beyond breathing techniquesโshe empowers parents to feel confident, powerful, and in control during one of life’s most vulnerable moments. Families describe births they’ll “cherish forever” and credit Estee’s guidance with giving them not just tools but genuine transformation in how they approach parenthood.
13. Greene Towne Montessori School
This school has become a true home for families new to Philadelphia, offering not just excellent Montessori education but genuine community. Teachers are “deeply dedicated, compassionate, and thoughtful,” creating environments where children thrive academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. For transplant families especially, Greene Towne has provided the welcoming network and meaningful friendships that turn a new city into home.
Don’t see your favorite on the list above?
You can still bring them into consideration! Share a detailed, heartfelt testimonial about your experienceโtell us about the moment they made a difference, how they met you in vulnerability, or the lasting impact they’ve had on your family.
The most compelling nominations include:
- Specific moments that illustrate their exceptional care
- Personal transformation or meaningful change they helped create
- What sets them apart from others in their field
Note: When completing the nomination form, you’ll have the option to indicate your willingness to participate in an interview if your nominee is selected as a LOVE Story Finalist.
The LOVE Awards celebrate more than just excellent serviceโthey honor the organizations that become part of our families’ journeys, the ones who show up with heart and expertise when we need them most.
Meet the 2026 Best for Families Nominees
Want to see who else has been nominated? Check out our 2026 Best for Families Nominees showcase featuring the organizations our readers are celebrating so far this year.
Voting and nominations close on Valentineโs Day, February 14, 2026. Weโll recognize our LOVE Award Winners and Family Favorites at our upcoming Best for Families Celebrations and our Best for Families Guides (digitally AND in print magazines) this springโwe canโt wait to honor these incredible community champions together!
Featured photo by K. Huff for Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.