Brevard Schools Foundation receives the Balda Family Foundation grant for
The Take Stock in Children Program
Pictured left to right: Yvonne McGuire, BSF Board President, Janice Kershaw, BSF Executive Director, Kathy Balda-Mills, Balda Family Foundation and TSIC Leadership Council Member, Sarah Balda, Balda Family Foundation and Dr. Desmond Blackburn, BPS Superintendent
Viera, Florida, 09/10/2015 – Brevard Schools Foundation, an organization committed to enhancing education in Brevard Public Schools, announced today that it has been awarded a $17,500.00 grant from the Balda Family Foundation. These funds will be used to purchase Florida Prepaid Scholarships for students in the Brevard Schools Foundation Take Stock in Children Program. Since 2011, the Balda Family Foundation has donated more than $140,267 to the Brevard Schools Foundation which has been leveraged to assist more than 35 Take Stock In Children students. TSIC
Program Manager Amie Harris states “The Balda Family Foundation is more than just an organization. This family truly cares about their community. Several Balda family members serve on the TSIC Leadership Council, others mentor. When it comes to TSIC events, we can count on them to volunteer and participate. We are truly humbled and grateful for this beautiful family and their support.”
Take Stock in Children provides a unique opportunity for aspiring low-income, at-risk students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. The program offers students a college scholarship, a caring mentor, College Success Coach and hope for a better future. In the 2014-2015 school year, over six thousand 7th, 8th and 9th grade Brevard County students were eligible for the Take Stock in Children Program. “The Balda Family Foundation is pleased to continue to support the Brevard Schools Foundation Take Stock in Children program. TSIC embodies the Balda Family Foundation’s mission through mentorship, college access and financial support. Together we are helping Brevard County’s youth redefine their future through a higher education”, said Sarah Balda, Executive Director of Balda Family Foundation.
“Having scholarships in place provides a much needed incentive to our Take Stock in Children students, said Janice Kershaw, Executive Director of the Brevard Schools Foundation. “With the generous support of the Balda Family Foundation, we can continue to help close the achievement gap for more students.”
ABOUT TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN
Take Stock in Children is a scholarship and mentoring program that provides low-income students an opportunity to fulfill their academic potential and to attend college. The Brevard Schools Foundation administers the program for all Brevard public middle and high schools. It is the strategic mission of Take Stock in Children to reach more students through aggressive fundraising. Every scholarship dollar raised is generously matched through the Florida Prepaid Foundation Project STARS program. It is the Brevard Schools Foundation vision to provide scholarships to all qualified students wishing to improve their economic status by obtaining a college degree. The program has an ongoing need for volunteer mentors to serve the students in the program. Mentor trainings are provided on the first Tuesday of each month. To donate to this program, please visit: https://brevardschoolsfoundation.org/donate
ABOUT BALDA FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Balda Family Foundation’s mission is to motivate, inspire and educate academically promising, at-risk and underserved youth in Brevard County, FL, through educational opportunities and college scholarships. The foundation was established in 2007 by Ricardo A. Balda and his four adult children. In 1955, at age 14, Mr. Balda immigrated to the United States from Ecuador with his parents and four siblings, he later went on to be the first in his family to receive a college degree. The Balda family has directly seen the positive impact a higher education can make, and as a result, the family places a strong emphasis on academic excellence and understands the important role education plays in permanently lifting one out of financial hardship. For more information, please contact Sarah Balda, sarah@baldafoundation.org or visit their website at: www.baldafoundation.org