Take Stock Mentors Honored
Students and mentors were on hand last week when Mayor Craig Cates, vice Mayor Clayton Lopez and Commissioner Sam Kaufman gave a huge thank you to Take Stock in Children in light of National Mentoring Month.
First established in 1995 in Monroe County, Take Stock provides at-risk and low-income students extensive support, motivation and accountability to ensure they graduate from high school and pursue their postsecondary education goals. In exchange for the students’ hard work, they receive a full four-year Florida pre-paid scholarship.
The work of Take Stock Monroe mentors results in the high school graduation of 100 percent of the Take Stock scholars, and the matriculation of 96 percent in post-secondary education, well over the national averages. Nearly 800 students in Monroe County have been served by Take Stock.
“During National Mentoring Month,” noted the Mayor in his proclamation, “Take Stock in Children Monroe commends and honors its 250 volunteer mentors for the assistance, advice, and guidance they provide during weekly mentor sessions, making a positive difference in the students’ lives and improving their self-confidence and belief that a college degree is attainable.”