Take Stock in Children helps kids achieve their dreams
To the editor:
Each day I work on behalf of low-income and at-risk students to help them overcome the many hardships they face to afford a college education. This is a significant challenge, as tuition costs at Florida’s public universities are expected to increase 30 percent or more over the next several years. This fact, combined with the cost of other college-related expenses, creates a serious struggle for youth throughout Florida to achieve their dreams of a college education. What’s more, we are currently facing significant cuts to the federal funding of our education system. We must do better so our youth are more educated to meet the challenges of tomorrow!
One of Florida’s best kept secrets, Take Stock in Children, is a statewide non-profit organization with a solid 16 year history of providing a unique opportunity for low-income and at-risk students who aspire to pursue a college education. Our role model program identifies thousands of students who sign a contract pledging to remain drug and crime free and maintain a 2.5 grade point average in middle and high school. Students that fulfill these requirements receive a full scholarship to a state college, university or vocational school.
To date, our organization has provided educational support and college scholarships for over 17,000 children. I was one of those students and was able to achieve my dream of attaining a college education with the help of Take Stock in Children. Now, as we face cuts to Florida Bright Futures and Project STARS scholarships we might lose some of our funding and with that the ability to help more students, like myself, achieve success.
This would mean thousands of deserving low-income students will not be provided the opportunity to pursue a college education. In addition, hundreds of thousands of private donor funds given to Take Stock in Children for the purpose of purchasing these prepaid scholarships would not be awarded or would have to be given back. We cannot allow these funds to go to waste or let our youth suffer the life-altering consequences of not receiving a higher education.
In working with these students on a regular basis I see their willingness to achieve but also see their doubt that they will make it, as it seems there is less and less opportunity for support. Now is the time that we need our elected officials and business leaders to be the voice for all those who dream of obtaining a college education and living the American dream.
We must rally together and take pride in our youth who are our next generation of leaders. Education is the key to a better Florida, and we need the support of individuals and businesses to ensure every child who wishes to go to college has the opportunity to do so.
Helen A. Quinn
Administrator of College Transition and Retention
Take Stock in Children