Chuck Licis-Masson, executive director of the Monroe County Education Foundation, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about Take Stock in Children.
Take Stock in Children offers Monroe County students a path to college through mentorship, scholarships and a wide range of educational opportunities.
The program has developed a strong partnership with the Monroe County School District and the Monroe County Education Foundation and that collaboration has helped make the local program a model for others across Florida.
The program’s first graduating class was in 2001, and Licis-Masson said several community leaders and educators have longstanding connections to Take Stock in Children.
“Most importantly, it provides mentorship,” Licis-Masson said. “It provides a weekly mentor session with a volunteer member of our community.”
Students meet with their mentors for about 30 minutes each week during the school day. Mentors help students navigate middle and high school, set goals, prepare for college and careers, and develop skills such as self-advocacy and problem-solving.
The program also provides college and career readiness workshops and has coaches working with students throughout the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys.
Licis-Masson said students also have opportunities to visit college campuses, including Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and the College of the Florida Keys.
The centerpiece of the program is a Florida Prepaid scholarship. Take Stock in Children raises money to purchase scholarships, with the funds matched dollar-for-dollar by the state.
Licis-Masson said the scholarships can cover 60 college credit hours and another 60 university credit hours. The program also purchases two-year dormitory plans to help participating students with housing costs.
Applications for the program have been open since the start of the school year, but the application period ends this Friday.
Students must meet income eligibility requirements, along with academic and behavioral standards. Licis-Masson said students must have A’s, B’s and C’s, good attendance and behavior, and a minimum 2.0 grade-point average.
He said Monroe County’s strong fundraising efforts have allowed Take Stock in Children to accept every student who meets the eligibility requirements.
“We are able to really accept every eligible student. We don’t have to pick and choose,” Licis-Masson said. “If you’re eligible, you can come into the program.”
The only potential limitation is whether a volunteer mentor is available for a student.
Licis-Masson is also encouraging community members to consider becoming mentors.
“The mentors are vital to the program,” he said.
More information about Take Stock in Children, including income eligibility guidelines and applications, is available through the Monroe County Education Foundation at MonroeCountyEdFound.com.
Licis-Masson also highlighted additional educational opportunities being supported by the Golden Fleece Foundation and its founder, John Paget.
The Summer Pathways initiative provides students with experiences designed to develop leadership, independence, teamwork and other skills. Eighth-graders will have an opportunity to participate in a local camp, while ninth-graders are expected to take part in a 10-day educational trip to Costa Rica.
Older students can participate in programs including Experiment in International Living, Springboard and ID Tech, with opportunities at universities such as Princeton, Georgetown, Georgia Tech and Duke. High school seniors can participate in a leadership program at UCLA in California.
Licis-Masson said the experiences give students opportunities they might not otherwise have and help prepare them for life beyond high school.
He said mentoring can also be rewarding for the adults who participate.
Licis-Masson said he recently met with his 18-year-old mentee and discussed September 11, 2001, noting that his mentee was born after the attacks and has no personal memory of the event.
He said conversations like that demonstrate the value of mentoring and the opportunity for adults to learn from younger generations as well.
Licis-Masson said today’s students are growing up during a period of rapid technological change, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence.
“This is an exciting time for our kids,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us as older adults to sit down and listen to these kids and ask them those questions.”