On Saturday, May 3rd, The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning inducted 30 new students into its Take Stock in Children program. These 30 students are current eighth graders from 11 Collier County middle schools and will receive support and guidance from the Champions For Learning team and a Champions For Learning volunteer mentor throughout their high school years to help prepare them for college.
During the Induction Ceremony, held at the Bower Chapel at Moorings Park, the newly inducted students joined their parents, mentors, and Champions For Learning staff to formally commit to the program. Featured speaker and Take Stock in Children alumna Alaysha Greene shared how the program shaped her academic path, ultimately leading to a Master’s degree in Special Education from Florida Gulf Coast University and a career as a third-grade teacher at Herbert Cambridge Elementary School.
“We are so excited to formally induct our newest class of students into the Take Stock in Children Program,” said Kristin Carolan, director of student programs at Champions For Learning. “For the next four years, we will walk alongside each one of these students, their families, and mentors and support them along their educational journey.”
Take Stock in Children is a statewide, academically focused mentoring program that guides students toward successful completion of high school and college enrollment. The program empowers students from households with low incomes, many of whom are on track to be the first in their families to consider postsecondary education, to overcome barriers to educational success. Champions For Learning students have benefitted from this program since 2000.
This multi-year program model integrates elements of highly effective college and career access programming, including mentorship, college and career access workshops, one-on-one college and career coaching, and scholarships. During the onboarding process, students are paired with their Champions For Learning volunteer mentor that they will meet with consistently during the school year. Students must remain in the program throughout high school until graduation to earn a two-year tuition scholarship award. By setting high expectations for their academic future, the Take Stock in Children program helps students graduate from high school in strong academic standing and prepare for postsecondary success.
Over the past four years, The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning has been recognized as a gold level program by Take Stock in Children, Inc. and received the Luminary award. This is the highest distinction given to organizations who exceed the mentoring, success coach supports, and programmatic benchmarks. Champions For Learning is committed to providing quality programming to our students at no cost. To support Champions For Learning’s Student Programs and our newest class of students, please consider making a gift at www.championsforlearning.org/give.