COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY BECOMES REALITY FOR MANY LOCAL STUDENTS
Sarasota, FL, June 22, 2023. Take Stock in Children (TSIC) of Sarasota provides college scholarships, mentors, and hope for economically disadvantaged students to break the cycle of poverty and reach their greatest potential. With community partnerships and nonprofit collaborations supporting TSIC expansion throughout Sarasota County, 205 new students were selected to participate in the powerful and proven college readiness program.
Students, along with their parent or guardian, signed a contract to remain crime-free and drug-free, maintain good grades with a minimum 2.5 grade point average, attend college success coaching sessions, and meet with a volunteer mentor. Students become motivated learners with the promise of a college scholarship upon high school graduation and completion of the program.
The college & career coaching and mentoring sessions will exponentially increase along with the number of students and families served by TSIC. Our mission advancement is made possible thanks in part to support from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Grant funds will support staffing positions for community outreach and communications, including bilingual support for Spanish-speaking families; additional college coaching for high school seniors; mentor recruitment, training, and support; and program metrics support to manage program data and student success.
“We deeply appreciate Barancik Foundation for providing resources to encourage local students to reach new educational heights. My first TSIC graduating class had two students; this year we had 102 students graduate,” stated Lisa Bechtold, the Executive Director. “Now, we have just accepted 205 new students from schools all across the county. The growth of our program will impact more students to transform their college and career dreams into reality.”
“Take Stock is paving the way for students to explore and achieve their dreams of career readiness and postsecondary education,” commented Barancik Foundation President | CEO Teri A Hansen. “As the organization expands to incorporate more coaching, training, and bilingual support, I only see its impact further strengthening families and students throughout our community.”
Caring volunteers interested in becoming a Take Stock mentor may begin by visiting our website www.takestocksarasota.org to complete the online application today. Students interested in participating in the Take Stock in Children program next school year may apply online starting November 1, 2023.
