Call for statewide volunteer mentors and donations to purchase college scholarships
For Hometown News
Take Stock in Children, a statewide nonprofit organization with a solid history of providing scholarships, mentors and hope, is proud to announce the launch of "Keeping the Promise," an initiative to raise enough funding to purchase college scholarships for an additional 1,800 deserving low-income students. This will increase the number of scholars currently served by 25 percent to 9,000 active students across Florida.
As a role-model organization that has supported more than 18,000 students to date, over 80 percent whom are the first in their family to attend college, Take Stock in Children recently received national recognition for its exemplary successes. As a result of its winning formula of providing low-income students scholarships, mentors and hope, the organization was awarded the prestigious Investing in Innovation grant from the United States Department of Education, and also shined in a study by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. On the heels of this success, the state of Florida demonstrated its belief in Take Stock in Children by allocating an additional $1 million in funding with the understanding that the organization will register an additional 1,800 students.
Prior to enrolling any student, Take Stock in Children must first secure the funding to purchase a college scholarship for them, as this is the promise made to all its scholars. In return, each student promises to meet with their mentor once a week, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and remain drug- and crime-free. Upon fulfillment of this agreement, students are awarded a college scholarship at high school graduation.
To achieve this goal, individuals and businesses are needed to rally behind Take Stock Children's "Keeping the Promise" initiative. Volunteering, mentoring or providing resources to purchase scholarships will help ensure Florida's future workforce is strong and improve communities. With Take Stock in Children's unique public and private model of funding, any contribution made is matched dollar-for-dollar by the state.
The program offers a unique opportunity for students with comprehensive services starting in middle school, continuing through high school and including assistance during the transition to college. With an unparalleled high school graduation rate of 92 percent, and 89 percent enrolling in college, Take Stock in Children contributes to the economic viability of our communities and delivers an unmatched return on investment. High school graduates contribute 46 percent more in taxes, have longer lives with less public health dependency and are three times more likely to be employed and not dependent on government assistance. The total benefit to the state of Florida is estimated to be $300,000 per student throughout a lifetime.
To learn more about Take Stock in Children's "Keeping the Promise" initiative, or to become a valued mentor or supporter, call (888) 322-4673 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.