Take Stock in Children in need of mentors
FROM STAFF REPORTS

Take Stock in Children is a non profit organization that provides scholarships, mentors, tutoring, and other services and support to help Florida's low-income children succeed in school and life.

Children selected as scholars for the multi-year effort are chosen primarily in middle school. Scholars remain the program until they graduate from college or vocational school. Their post-secondary education tuition is pre-paid by Take Stock in Children.

Requirements: Each child and his or her parents or guardians must sign a contract agreeing to work hard and take responsibility. The child agrees to fulfill academic and behavioral requirements, including remaining drug-free and crime-free. Parents agree to be involved with their child's efforts and attend events and activities.

How it helps: Take Stock in Children provides Florida's underserved children the opportunities they need to get an education and become productive, successful adults.

Number Helped: Take Stock in Children has served more than 11,000 children since its inception in 1995. Currently the program serves 7,663 children across the state of Florida. In May of 2006, 1,157 Take Stock in Children students graduated from high school. They join the 3,985 students attending college with a Take Stock in Children scholarship.

Funding: From corporations, small businesses, retirees, individuals, Florida Legislature, and local agencies. Corporate sponsors include Publix, Bank of America, JM Family Enterprises, The GEO Group, Outback Steakhouse, AutoNation, State Farm Insurance, the Florida Lottery, AT&T, Anheuser-Busch, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

Accountability: Extensive system in place that requires programs to report data on a consistent basis, with audits of program files every three years. Database to monitor and track all aspects of the program. Independently audited each year.

Recognition: Named one of the most effective mentoring programs in the nation by MENTOR/National Mentor Partnership, 2002. Member of the Florida Mentoring Partnership.

Santa Rosa County has 63 students currently in the program. We will be adding 46 to 48 more in the Fall. Mentoring a student is a major commitment, BUT IT CAN MAKE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE. Over 89% of students participating inn the Take stock in Children Mentoring program will graduate high school and continue on to post-secondary education. We need a man and woman to mentor now and are looking for others to join the program to mentor in the Fall.

Every year Take Stock in Children provides scholarship, mentors and hope for deserving children, right here in Santa Rosa County. But only if they stay out of trouble… AND STAY IN SCHOOL.

For more information on how you can take action and mentor a child one hour per week at a school in your community, call 712-2264 or v i s i t www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/sref/ta ke_stock.htm.