Hillsborough Education Foundation

Help a kid achieveGreatness

Every child contains the seeds of greatness, no matter what their beginning, background, family situation or economic status. Yet, many kids fail to achieve their full potential falling be-hind in school, losing self-esteem and confidence, eventually failing to graduate high school.

Low-income and minority kids can face even tougher insurmountable obstacles that make finishing high school difficult and going to college almost impossible.

Right now, 24% of all students who attend Hillsborough County Public Schools live at or below the poverty line. That’s nearly 50,000 students.

Through HEF’s partnership with Take Stock in Children (TSIC), we are leading the way in Hillsborough County in helping our low-income, at-risk students graduate high school, fulfill their dreams of a college education and enter the work force with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful.

HEF helps provide the motivation, support and academic

assistance students need in order to achieve success. Not

only is the TSIC program innovative and transformative, it

is rigorous as well. We want to see our students succeed,

which means we have high expectations and demand

accountability among all participants. Therefore, each

student is required to sign a contract promising to abide by

the program’s rules.

Getting students on the path to successEach student in the

program is expected to:

P Stay in school

P Maintain good grades (at least a 2.5 GPA)

P Attend regular mentor-mentee meetings (weekly)

P Stay drug and crime free

P Exhibit good citizenship

48%

27%

17%

4% 1% 3%

Race

Hispanic

Black/African American

White

Asian

Multiracial

Other

94

98

56

76

28

57

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

College Enrollment

High School Graduation

Chart Title

Florida At-Risk Students (non-TSIC) Florida Average TSIC Hillsborough

Despite economic disadvantages and other risk factors, TSIC scholars have higher graduation rates and college-enrollment rates than non-TSIC at-risk students in Hillsborough County and Across Florida.

Our students and their success

The Take Stock in Children program provides the promise of a college scholarship, a caring mentor committed to the development of each student’s gifts and continuous involvement from skilled student advocates who engage in educational/career counseling. Because we work in partnership with the Hillsborough County School District, we are able to deliver an immensely personal program to students who are seeking a better life.

ScholarshipsObtaining the college scholarship is a long-term goal that is achieved through years of hard work. Every student is promised a Florida Prepaid scholarship as long as they live up to the requirements we set.

MentoringThroughout the high-school years, students build meaningful relationships with others who deeply care about their success, and help them reach their full potential. During weekly mentoring sessions, students set goals, build positive values and develop academic skills to help them excel in their schoolwork.

College Success CoachesAs a student transitions through high school, trained College Success Coaches from HEF monitor key academic indicators and ensure the stu-dent stays on track for high-school completion.

College Readiness WorkshopsHEF provides workshops focused on skills and information needed for high school and college success. These workshops will help get students college ready, conduct college tours to view life on campus and assist with the col-lege application process.

Classroom SuppliesHEF further assists low-income students with free school supplies and classroom resources to enhance learning opportunities in the classroom throughout the school year.

Alex’s StoryI’m Alex, and I’m a sophomore at Durant High School. I was born and raised in Tampa, where I live with my mom, two younger brothers and a younger sister. My mom supports us by working in the fields. Sometimes I help her out.

I first found out about the TSIC Schol-arship Program through Mr. Salmer-on, a migrant advocate at my school. I guess he saw potential in me, because he encouraged me to apply for a schol-arship. Now, just knowing I have the opportunity to go to college keeps me focused and motivated to learn.

Since earning the scholarship, I’ve become a role model for my younger brothers and sister. They look up to me and follow my example. I’m happy that I can pave the way for them and they won’t have to struggle.

There are a lot of kids with potential. They do well in school and help others out. They just may not be as wealthy. I thought I would have to work in the fields all my life. Now, I will be the first in my family to graduate high school and go to college. I’m so grate-ful that I have this opportunity. With an education, I can get my mom out of the fields.

Inspiring Greatness

“If you have ever wondered, ‘will I

make a difference in this life?’ mentor a

child and remove all doubt.” - TSIC Mentor

Be Someone’s GreatnessBecome a Mentor

Although the promise of a scholarship instills hope in our students, many of them still lack the emotional support and guidance to help prepare them for college and careers. HEF aspires to provide the highest-quality mentors possible who can serve as important role models for motivation and accountability, eventually helping to set the mentee’s course for life.

And it only takes 1 hour a week. Visit educationfoundation.com to learn how you can become a mentor today.

A donation to TSIC transforms a student’s life forever, giving educational opportunities that are considered to be out of reach for these smart, deserving students. This gift helps break the cycle of poverty and reduces high school

dropout rates in Hillsborough County.

But there is another compelling reason to make a gift today. Your donation is matched dollar-for-dollar by the Florida Prepaid Foundation. That means every donation - no matter the size - will be doubled in value. The cost of a full schol-arship ranges from $5,280 to $15,400; the match converts this donation to $10,560 to $30,800 in scholarship funds and program support (mentoring, college success coaches, workshops and classroom supplies) throughout each year

of high school through graduation.

Become a Donor

For more information on mentoring, contact Rachel Sutton at rsutton@educationfoundation.com or (813)463-4283.

To learn more about making a gift to the program, contact Merrell Dickey at mdickey@educationfoundation.com or (813)574-0296.