Scholarships, Mentors and Hope
FACTS:
- One of every three Florida students drop out of high school
- One of every two minority males will not graduate high school
- Florida has the highest juvenile crime rate
- Florida has the 2nd highest dropout rate
- Nearly 80% of Florida prisoners are high school dropouts
Pasco County’s Take Stock in Children is a solution to one of the most critical problems facing Florida--high dropout and high youth crime rates. Being a non-profit organization with the Pasco Education Foundation, Inc. as the lead agency and the support of the District School Board of Pasco County, Take Stock has become a successful program with measurable results. Since 1991, statewide programs together have provided over 12,000 children in Florida with scholarships, mentors and hope. Take Stock is proud to boast a 96 % success rate in keeping students in school year to year and on track to high school graduation.
The program provides an opportunity for carefully selected students to work toward the attainable goal of a college education. While Take Stock in Children provides the necessary college tuition funds, this comprehensive program offers much more. This includes volunteer mentors who provide inspiration and guidance and student advocates who monitor student progress and motivate students to achieve their highest potential. This success is obtained by a strong school system support, early intervention and long-term guidance. High standards, parental involvement, and community participation are also crucial to the program's success.
Take Stock in Children has a proven record of helping economically disadvantaged children graduate from high school, attend college, and become productive citizens. Participation in Take Stock in Children is a unique, innovative experience that is changing the lives of our youth…One community, One school, One family, One child at a time
Pasco County’s Take Stock in Children program is managed by the Education Foundation. The key members of the organization relevant to the fundraising and operations components of the TSIC are:
- Chip Wichmanowski, Executive Director, Pasco Education Foundation
Email: cwichman@pasco.k12.fl.us
Phone: (813) 794-2705
Fax: (813) 794-2136
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- Rosanne Heyser, Program Coordinator
Email: rheyser@pasco.k12.fl.us
Phone: (813) 794-2134
Fax: (813) 794-2136
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- Stacey Capogrosso, Student Advocate
Email: scapo@pascoeducationfoundation.org
Phone: (813) 310-9778
Fax: (813) 794-2136
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- Trisha Evensen, Student Advocate
Email: tevensen@pascoeducationfoundation.org
Phone: (813) 310-9779
Fax: (813) 794-2136
Sandy Yingling, Bookkeeper
Email: syinglin@pasco.k12.fl.us
Phone: (813) 794-2705
Fax: (813) 794-2136
“The Take Stock in Children Program (TSIC) is a valuable resource for the Pasco County School District. This unique initiative pairs at-risk students with community members who serve as mentors and motivators. Participation in the program is incentivized by scholarship funds for each student upon successful completion and graduation from high school. By expanding the realm of education stakeholders through the creation of a public/private partnership, we are better able to enhance educational opportunities for our students. Take Stock in Children truly makes a difference in the lives of students and I would encourage your support of this worthwhile program”
...Heather Fiorentino, Superintendent, Pasco County Schools
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