INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH — One statewide program that has nearly a two–decade history stands tall and mighty in communities because of its critical mission and the long–term impact, including economically, it has on both the individual participant and the region in general. The program helps youth make life–changing decisions, putting them on the path to success through higher education and the opportunity to earn a degree, enrich their lives, and be productive citizens.
Considered a savvy investment in the future of youth, with the community typically reaping long–term dividends, “Take Stock in Children,” the signature program of the Brevard Schools Foundation, is designed to help motivated, at–risk students graduate from high school and attend college on a scholarship. The community professionals who are involved in the program as role-model volunteers say they see firsthand the positive and powerful influence it has on a youngster’s development and well–being in society.
“Take Stock in Children gives disadvantaged kids hope, personal mentor support, and a real incentive to succeed,” said attorney J. Mason Williams of GrayRobinson in Melbourne, a board member of Take Stock in Children, and a longtime community volunteer and supporter of the organization. “The promise of a college scholarship to a child who may have no other chance to go to college is a fantastic incentive. TSIC mentors show these kids that someone believes in them and cares about them, and that is powerful.”
For the past 20 years, Williams has been a children’s advocate in the local community. Before moving to Brevard, he once served as chairman of the board of directors for an Orlando–area school for developmentally delayed children. His wife Mary is a children’s entertainer and puppeteer in the region. “We find joy in children and their wonderful exuberance, inquisitiveness. TSIC was perfect for us. My wife and I have both served as mentors in the program,” he said, emphasizing the important role education plays in the realm of life and the advancement of the community. Also, they have supported the Brevard Schools Foundation though donations. Mason Williams is a past president of the foundation, which operates the program.
Local Take Stock in Children mentor Jeri Ronaldson says the program plays a central role “in breaking the generational cycle of poverty. These students are the first in their families to gain a college education.” “We’ve had so many success stories,” she added. “The students, who generally stay in Brevard for their careers, have gone on to become engineers, attorneys, teachers, health–care professionals, and law enforcers, for instance.” She and her husband, Dr. Jim Ronaldson, a cardiologist, have supported Take Stock in Children in various ways.
Since 1995, Brevard Schools Foundation’s Take Stock in Children program has provided scholarship opportunity for almost 800 students. “This foundation is one of the few that I have seen whose objective is truly altruistic — to educate children so that they may improve not only their lives but also the lives of those around them,” said Cody Fenech, a recent graduate of Take Stock in Children and a Dean’s list student who studied computer science at Brevard Community College. This year, the local program will be graduating 60 students, said Jeri Ronaldson, “and enrolling 75, which is a significant increase
The dropout–prevention program is an example of a public–private collaboration working to uplift a community through its most promising and valuable asset — youth. “The personalized program involves the students, their parents or guardians, and volunteer mentors,” said Dr. A.T. “Tim” Hollingsworth, Brevard Schools Foundation treasurer and founder of the management consultant firm
A.T. Hollingsworth & Associates. “Success in the program results in college scholarships for the students. These students are able to develop the skills necessary for a productive, independent future.”
The partnership model includes mentoring, case management, accountability, and scholarships. “Take Stock in Children is an incredible program whose impact can be felt for a lifetime in a community,” said Barbara Yandel, in an interview conducted at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club. “It’s not an entitlement program. The money is not coming from tax dollars. It’s a highly structured program
and the student has to show motivation. We’re giving them the opportunity to go to college. They have to make a commitment by signing a contract saying they will keep their grades up, be drug–free, and stay out of trouble.” As chairwoman of a new fund–raising committee for Take Stock in Children, Yandel and other members are preparing for an event that was created to benefit the organization, which is reaching out to the business community for “much–needed” financial support. “Each Take Stock in Children scholarship requires $8,000 in funding,” said Barbara Yandel. “The key thing is
that the state foundation will match every dollar we raise from the April 20 community event at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.”
The proceeds will be matched by the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid STARS Foundation Program. STARS stands for Scholarship Tuition for At–Risk Students. Before enrolling any student, Take Stock in Children must first secure funding to purchase a two–year college scholarship for them. This is the promise made by Take Stock in Children. Barbara Yandel said Jeri Ronaldson “has spearheaded
the organization’s fund–raising idea and effort. She not only signed up as a mentor for the program, but also has started writing grants. Jeri saw the financial need and started calling her friends telling them that we really needed to step it up.”
Take Stock in Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity with a history of providing mentors, educational scholarships, and hope for low–income and deserving youth. It is Florida’s flagship and “most successful program for mentoring,” touting high graduation rates.
The organization has provided educational support and college scholarships for more than 18,000 children in partnership with roughly 800 public schools throughout 67 counties in Florida. “I worked as a children’s advocate for 16 years in public schools in Indian River County,” said Kyle Creedon, who now runs Indialantic Tutoring and has a master’s degree in education. “Take Stock in Children is a program we desperately need in the community. And I believe the need will only continue to grow. So I feel like we are in the right place at the right time with the launch of this fund–raising event.
We are trying to make a difference in the lives of young people.”
Creedon is a committee member of Brevard Schools Foundation’s inaugural Take Stock in Children Gala, “Beyond the Sea Soiree.” It is set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.
Their committee has set a goal of raising $40,000 that evening, which would fund $80,000 in Take Stock in Children scholarships. The benefit money from the gala will solely fund scholarships. No portion of the money will be used for program or operational costs, said Barbara Yandel, who along with her husband Dr. Stephen Mandel stand behind the organization with their financial support and volunteerism.
A number of years ago, in response to nutrition concerns, public school districts around the nation started removing Pepsi and Coca–Cola vending machines from their campuses. Cash–strapped public schools received commission from these vending–machine contracts. Locally, that meant tens of thousands of dollars a year for the Brevard Schools Foundation’s Take Stock in Children program. “That money has dried up,” said Barbara Yandel, “and that’s why our fund–raising efforts have become so important for Take Stock in Children. We’re reaching out to the business community for support of our inaugural gala. We plan to make this an annual event for Take Stock in Children.” Sponsorships range from $500 to $25,000. “We would love to have a $25,000 event sponsor, but we haven’t had
any luck yet.” Individual seating is $100 per person for “Beyond the Sea Soiree.”
For details about sponsorships, tickets, or to donate toward the Take Stock in Children scholarships, contact Anne Everly at the Brevard Schools Foundation. Her e– mail address is Everly.Anne@BrevardSchools.org, or phone 633–1000, extension 430. Joining Yandel and Creedon on the gala committee are Hope Bookman, Denise Miller, Ellen Abbott, Sherry McGill, Jeri Ronaldson, Darlene Lohff, Gail Anderson, and Michelle Robinson.
“All of us on this committee are in it for the long run,” said Robinson about their involvement in raising money for the program and mentoring students. “We are trying to get more principals at area schools involved in the Take Stock in Children program.” Robinson is a longtime community volunteer with Brevard County’s Guardian Ad Litem program and other nonprofit entities in the region. “I plan to be a mentor for Take Stock in Children, too,” she said. The Take Stock in Children organization says it is the only scholarship–mentoring program that has attained a high–school graduation rate of 92 percent in Florida. Barbara Yandel said Brevard’s Take Stock in Children program has a “98 percent graduation rate, which is impressive. It’s the mentorship that really sells people on this program. The young man or young woman has to have the right guidance to help them get over the hurdles they face in life.” Special emphasis is placed on “student accountability
and specific measurable outcomes.” Take Stock in Children students pledge to meet with their assigned mentor once a week, maintain a minimum grade–point average of 2.5, and meet other program requirements. “For the community, it is obvious that helping kids become productive and successful is infinitely preferable to their becoming a drain on community resources through drug use, crime, and other destructive behaviors that often result from poor education and poor or nonexistent family/adult support,” said Mason Williams.
The total benefit of the program to the state of Florida is estimated to be $300,000 per student over a lifetime. Take Stock in Children identifies motivated, low–income middle– and high–school students. Beginning as early as seventh grade, students accepted into Take Stock in Children sign a contract agreeing to the program’s parameters, including maintaining good grades throughout
high school.
Upon successful high–school graduation, as a fulfillment of their contractual agreement, students are then awarded a scholarship to any college, university, or vocational school in Florida.
Locally, the number of applicants for the program far outstrips the supply of funded scholarships, said Jeri Ronaldson. She learned of the growing need in the county to fund Take Stock in Children scholarships when she started as a program mentor last May. “When I went for mentor training, I learned there were 6,000 students in Brevard County who were eligible for the Take Stock in Children program, and 300 had applied,” said Jeri Ronaldson.
“But only 45 were accepted because every scholarship has to be fully funded before Take Stock in Children can accept a new student. So I realized we needed grant writers and fund–raisers in a big way, more so than mentors at this time.”
Jeri Ronaldson and Creedon of Indialantic Tutoring are now writing grants for the Take Stock in Children program. Out of that effort grew the fund–raising idea for “Beyond the Sea Soiree.” “A strategic plan has been put in place by the Leadership Council to enroll more students and increase the awareness throughout the county of this need,” said Jeri Ronaldson.
“The ultimate goal of the organization is to provide a college education to every student in Brevard who is willing to work hard and is motivated. The graduates of the program typically stay in Brevard and help our community. This is a win–win, for the student and the community.”
Members of the Leadership Council include David Brock, Mel Broom, the Rev. Corky Calhoun, John Clark, John Hewitt, Frank Huston, Judith John, Cindy Kane, Amy Kneesy, Glad Kurian, Patty Martin, Anthony Monroe, Diane Phillips, Bill Row, Chris Sorensen, Dean Stewart, Leslie Straus–Fowler, and Mason Williams.
The five members of Brevard Schools Foundation board are: Janice Kershaw, executive director; Meredith Gibson, president; Yvonne McGuire, vice president; Dr. A.T. “Tim” Hollingsworth, treasurer; and Jim Platman, secretary.
Source: Brevard Business News