TSIC needs mentors ready to welcome 60 new scholars

SPECIAL TO KONK LIFE

Take Stock in Children, the flagship college scholarship program of the Monroe County Education Foundation, is ready to accept nearly 60 new students into the program during the last week of October, but needs new mentors. “We have a fantastic group of qualified candidates who are ready to join Take Stock in Children and work towards achieving their goal of a college education,” said Monroe County Education Foundation president Steve Pribramsky. “However, if we do not have a volunteer mentor to match with the student, we cannot accept the student into our program,”

Who can be a mentor? “Mentors are not tutors or counselors; they are compassionate, caring adults who agree to meet with a student on campus during the school day once a week for 30 to 45 minutes,” program coordinator Chuck Licis explained. “We screen, background check and train all mentors before paring them up our Take Stock scholars, and there is a college success coach in each area to assist the mentors and students.” Take Stock needs mentors throughout the Keys, but especially in the Lower Keys at Sugarloaf Middle, Horace O’Bryant Middle and Key West High schools.

“Our mission is to accept all students from low-income families with the desire, motivation, and potential to go to college,” said Chuck Licis, TSIC executive director “These students are given the ‘chance of a lifetime’ with mentoring in middle and high school followed by the scholarship that pays for four years college tuition and fees.”

Take Stock in Children is entering its 15th year in Monroe County of providing college scholarships to low-income students who meet the eligibility requirements. Take Stock scholars make a commitment to maintain a 2.5 or higher grade point average, maintain good attendance and behavior, and meet weekly with a mentor.

Persons interested in becoming a mentor may contact Licis at 305-293-1546 or at [email protected].

Take Stock in Children Contract Signing Week:

Monday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m. Sugarloaf School, SLS Media Center, 255 Crane Blvd. Sugarloaf Key, MM 19

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m. Coral Shores / Plantation Key / Treasure Village Schools, CSH Media Center, 89901 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, MM 89

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 3:30 p.m. Key Largo School, KLS Media Center, 104801 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, MM 104

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1:30 p.m. Marathon Middle and High Schools, MHS Media Center, 350 Sombrero Beach Road, Marathon, MM 54

Thursday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m. Key West High School, KWH Media Center, 2100 Flagler Ave., Key West

Thursday, Oct. 30, 3:30 p.m. Horace O’Bryant Middle School, HOB Media Center, 1105 Leon St., Key West

 

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