COLLEGE FOR KIDS INC

TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PALM BEACH COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM MODEL. OUR INNOVATIVE MULTI-YEAR APPROACH PROVIDES WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES TO STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, CONTINUING THROUGH POST-SECONDARY COMPLETION. STUDENTS, TYPICALLY ENROLLED FROM 6TH TO 9TH GRADE, PARTICIPATE FOR AN AVERAGE OF 5 TO 8 YEARS. EACH STUDENT IS MATCHED WITH A CARING ADULT MENTOR FOR WEEKLY MEETINGS, RECEIVES CONTINUOUS ACADEMIC SUPPORT, AND BENEFITS FROM ONGOING COLLEGE READINESS SERVICES PROVIDED BY ASSIGNED COLLEGE READINESS COACHES. UPON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, STUDENTS RECEIVE A MINIMUM 2-YEAR FLORIDA PREPAID COLLEGE TUITION SCHOLARSHIP. THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE OFFER MONTHLY WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, ADDRESSING SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL ISSUES, COMMON STRESSORS, SYSTEM BARRIERS, COMMUNICATION TOOLS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND ACADEMIC PREPARATION. WE ALSO PROVIDE LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP STUDENTS' INTERESTS, SKILLS, AND TALENTS WHILE FOSTERING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. IN THE SENIOR YEAR, STUDENTS ARE INTRODUCED TO COLLEGE RETENTION SPECIALISTS WHO ASSIST WITH THE TRANSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE POST-SECONDARY ACADEMIC ADVISING THROUGH COMPLETION. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, WE SERVED 1,334 STUDENTS ACROSS 57 PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES, AN INCREASE FROM 1,266 IN FY 2023, WITH SUPPORT FROM 456 VOLUNTEER MENTORS. 100% OF STUDENTS ARE AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY RATE. OUR PROGRAM'S SUCCESS IS EVIDENT IN OUR 100% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE AND 96% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT RATE, SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR, WE RECEIVED AN EXTRAORDINARY, ONE-TIME UNRESTRICTED GIFT OF 1 MILLION FROM MACKENZIE SCOTT, WHICH WILL HELP US EXPAND OUR REACH AND IMPACT, FURTHERING OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT FOR AT-RISK YOUTH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.