TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN WELCOMES 82 NEW SCHOLARS

Most of us have probably not given much thought to the year 2023. But for a group of seventh grade fortunate and hard-working Monroe County students, the year 2023 just became more significant. That will be the year they walk across the stage at high school graduation having earned access to a 4-year college scholarship from Take Stock in Children.

Take Stock in Children, the flagship college scholarship and mentor program of the Monroe County Education Foundation, is welcoming a record number of students in grades 7 – 10. Next week, 82 deserving students will sign their Take Stock contract, will be paired with a volunteer mentor, and will begin their journey towards college and career readiness.

“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,” noted Monroe County Education Foundation president Bryan Green. “We are eager to welcome them into our program provided we have mentors.”

Mentoring is a key, vital component of the Take Stock in Children model. “Our mission is to accept all students from income-eligible families with the desire, motivation, and potential to go to college;” said Chuck Licis, TSIC Program Coordinator, “however, we cannot bring new students into the program unless we have a mentor ready to match.”

Licis explained that 49 new TSIC scholars in Key West alone need mentors before they can join the scholarship program. “These students are eager to become Take Stock scholars, so we have had a call-for-mentors leading up to the contract signings.” Mentors only need to give 1 hour a week of their time to make a life-time of difference in a child.

Who can be a mentor?  “Mentors are not tutors or counselors; they are compassionate, caring adults who volunteer their time to meet with a student on campus during the school day once a week for 45 minutes,” program coordinator Chuck Licis explained. “We screen, background check, and train all mentors before pairing them up our Take Stock scholars, and there is a college success coach in each area to assist the mentors and students.”

To learn more about Take Stock in Children Monroe County or if you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact the Take Stock in Children office at 305-293-1546 or by email at[email protected]. You are also encouraged to visit our website at http://www.monroecountyedfound.com.

Take Stock in Children Contract Signing Week:

Monday, November 13, 2017

6:00 p.m.  Horace O’Bryant Middle School, Key West High School, Sigsbee Charter, HOB Cafeteria, 1105 Leon Street, Key West

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

9:00 a.m. Key Largo School, KLS Media Center, 104801 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, MM 104

1:30 p.m. Coral Shores and Plantation Key Schools, CSH Media Center, 89901 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, MM 89

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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

Thursday, November 16, 2017

10:00 a.m. Sugarloaf School, SLS Media Center, 255 Crane Blvd. Sugarloaf Key, MM 19

Take Stock in Children Monroe is entering its 19th year in Monroe County of providing college scholarships to low-income students who meet the academic and income eligibility requirements. Take Stock scholars make a commitment to maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average, maintain good attendance and behavior, and meet weekly with a mentor.

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