Lois Gomez, mentor coordinator, and Tricia Yeggy, director of programs, in Tallahassee.

In February, The Immokalee Foundation sent several staff members to Tallahassee to participate in the annual Take Stock in Children (TSIC) statewide conference. Through the Immokalee chapter of TSIC, we currently work with more than 100 students who are on the path to a college career and a successful life.

Tricia Yeggy, TIF’s director of programs and one of the staff members who made the trek to Tallahassee, took a few minutes to share the ten best things she learned at this year’s conference.
 

In late January, nearly 200 people gathered to celebrate the induction of 32 new students into TIF's Take Stock in Children program. The 32 students, mostly seventh graders, will work with mentors and TIF staff members from now through high school graduation in an effort to help them excel academically and prepare themselves for continued academic success after high school. All students who complete the program — which includes meeting high academic, behavioral, and social standards — will earn a four-year scholarship to a Florida state university. 

When a TIF student excels or racks up an impressive accomplishment, she becomes a role model for her siblings, her peers, and the other children in the Immokalee community. This is exactly the case with Maria Plata, a Take Stock in Children superstar who spoke at this year's Take Stock induction ceremony about her challeanges, motivations, and achievements.

What makes Maria so unique? Here are ten quick facts about this exceptional member of the TIF community.

A new generation of TIF’s Take Stock in Children (TSIC) students will soon be welcomed to the program.

On January 24, 32 students will join the TSIC ranks. While candidates typically apply to the program in seventh grade, we will also be admitting select eighth and ninth graders as well. Each participant will meet weekly with a mentor throughout the school year — meetings that will continue through senior year of high school. In order to maintain TSIC eligibility, students commit to high grades, good behavior, regular school attendance, and community service. In return, they earn full tuition scholarships to any Florida state college, university, or vocational school.

Take Stock in Children program, one of our flagship programs, allows us to pair mentor with mentees in an effort to help children along the pathway to a college education. Our mentors begin working with students in seventh grade and stay with them through high school graduation. As long as the students maintain high academic and behavioral standards, they are granted a full, four-year scholsarship to a Florida state university. 

Every month, we send a brief newsletter to the Take Stock mentors and supporters, updating them on the latest program news, TIF news, and more. Check out the latest newsletter here.

If you'd like to learn more about Take Stock in Children or would like to sign up for our monthly newsletter, please send an email to Lois Gomez, the Take Stock program coordinator.