Viera, Florida- Brevard Schools Foundation is pleased to announce the award of an $11,000 grant from the Balda Family Foundation. These funds will be used to purchase Florida Prepaid Scholarships for students in the Brevard chapter of the Take Stock in Children Program. The Balda Family Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the Brevard Schools Foundation, and has donated more than $170,000 that has been used to assist more than 50 Take Stock in Children students on their path to high school graduation and post-secondary education.
When asked about the impact the Balda Family Foundation has had in Take Stock in Children, College Success Coach, Susan Knowles replied “The Balda Family Foundation are integral partners for our program. Their continued support and passion for helping deserving students reach their full potential is inspiring.”
The Take Stock in Children program provides an opportunity for motivated low-income, at-risk students to break the cycle of poverty through education. The program offers students a caring mentor, College Success Coach and hope for a better future, with the incentive of a college scholarship upon successful completion of the program at high school graduation.
“These scholarships are allowing more students to access higher education,” said Janice Kershaw, President and CEO of the Brevard Schools Foundation. “We appreciate the Balda Family Foundation and the opportunities they provide for deserving students in our community.” Brevard’s Take Stock in Children program continues to maintain a 100% graduation rate compared to the state average of 70% for low-income students. Kershaw said, “This is only made possible by the generous donors who support the program, as well as our volunteer mentors and program staff who stand with these students, provide interventions and show them the possibilities that await them in life. The Take Stock in Children program not only helps make sure students graduate high school, but also prepares them for college, careers, and life.”
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 learn more about this program, please visit: https://brevardschoolsfoundation.org
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