Chuck Licis-Masson, executive director of the Monroe County Education Foundation, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM yesterday morning to talk about Take Stock in Children.
The organization is ready to resume its mentorship program following the start of the new school year.
“Happy New Year, Happy New School Year,” Licis-Masson said. “It was an exciting day for students, but probably more exciting for parents to drop those kids off at school and get back to business for the school year.”
Take Stock in Children is a mentorship program that also provides scholarship opportunities for eligible students. Students must meet both economic and academic requirements, including good attendance and behavior and grades of A’s, B’s and C’s.
Students generally enter the program between sixth and ninth grade, although 10th-grade students who missed an earlier opportunity can also apply.
Once accepted, each student is paired with a volunteer mentor who meets with the student once a week during the school day, typically for 30 to 45 minutes.
“The mentorship is the key to the program,” Licis-Masson said. “Just having another caring adult in his or her life to help them through the process of education and college.”
Mentors help students develop self-advocacy skills, prepare for college and careers and navigate middle and high school.
Take Stock in Children had 17 prospective mentors apply over the summer but needs additional volunteers as it prepares to bring in another large class of students.
Take Stock in Children graduated approximately 70 students last year, and the organization hopes to bring in between 70 and 80 new students in October. The program served about 400 students last year and is beginning this school year with 331 students.
“We need those mentors again,” Licis-Masson said. “It’s a commitment of one day a week during the school year during your lunch hour. Typically, it doesn’t take much, and we guide you through the process.”
The program has college readiness coaches at school sites throughout Monroe County, including two in Key West, one in Marathon and one serving the Upper Keys from Coral Shores.
Students are served at schools throughout the county, including Key Largo School, Ocean Studies, Plantation Key, Treasure Village, Coral Shores High School, Marathon Middle/High School, Key West High School, Sigsbee Charter School, H.O.B., Key West Montessori and Basilica St. Mary School.
Take Stock in Children will work to find a mentoring opportunity close to where volunteers live.
For students who successfully complete the Take Stock in Children program and graduate from high school, the scholarship component provides access to a Florida prepaid scholarship covering 120 college credit hours. The organization also purchases two-year dormitory plans to help offset housing costs for students attending one of Florida’s state universities on the mainland.
Funding remains a major priority for the Monroe County Education Foundation, which supports the local Take Stock in Children program.
Licis-Masson said the organization needs to raise approximately $800,000 annually to purchase scholarships. Those funds are matched by the state, turning the local fundraising effort into approximately $1.6 million for scholarships.
“We need to raise $800,000, which is matched by the state,” Licis-Masson said. “I have to have a scholarship, and I have to have a mentor for every new student coming into the program. And that’s the promise that we as the foundation keep and also Take Stock in Children keeps for our students.”
People who cannot volunteer can also support the program through financial contributions.
Applications for Take Stock in Children are currently open. More information is available through the Monroe County Education Foundation at MonroeCountyEdFound.com.
Licis-Masson also encouraged residents who know of an eligible student to share information about the program with the student’s family.
Those interested in becoming mentors or supporting the program can contact Licis-Masson at 305-293-1546.