For Immediate Release: November 18, 2011

 

BREVARD SCHOOLS FOUNDATION TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PROGRAM JOINS STATE FOR INAUGURAL “STRIDES FOR EDUCATION” FUN WALK/ RUN ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

 Statewide Effort Aims to Raise Funds for College Scholarships for
Florida’s Low-income Students

                Melbourne, FL –  Brevard Schools Foundation’s Take Stock in Children program joins Take Stock In Children programs across the state for an inaugural statewide “Strides For Education 5k” Walk/Run at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, November  19.  Brevard Community College, Melbourne Campus will host the race.  The statewide race effort will raise college funds for Florida’s low-income and at-risk youth. Take Stock in Children’s “Strides For Education 5k” Walk/Runs will take place simultaneously in Brevard, Broward, Clay, Calhoun, Escambia, Lake/Sumter, Pinellas, Sarasota, Hendry, Palm Beach and Miami Dade counties.

                “Take Stock in Children’s ‘Strides For Education 5k’ is the perfect way to involve the local community in our efforts and help raise funding for our scholars who desire to earn a postsecondary education,” said Janice Kershaw, Executive Director of Brevard Schools Foundation “Our goal is to continue growing our program each year so that we may support even more students along the path to success.”  Brevard’s program currently serves 197 students in grade 6-12.  The program helps low income and at risk youth break the cycle of poverty by providing scholarships, mentors and hope for a better future.

                Thousands of participants will race statewide as a part of this first-ever fundraising effort, which will raise much needed funds to provide college scholarships for low-income students. With rising tuition costs and significant increases of other college-related expenses, children throughout Florida are struggling more than ever to achieve their dreams of a college education.

                Take Stock in Children’s “Strides For Education 5k” Walk/Run is open to all individuals, families, companies and local organizations, and will feature family-friendly activities, giveaways, breakfast, T- shirts, goodie bags, and entertainment.  Registration is $35 for adults, and $10 for students with all proceeds to benefit Take Stock in Children.  Sponsorships are available, as well as volunteer opportunities.

                To learn how you can support Take Stock in Children of Brevard County’s “Strides For Education 5K” Walk/Run as a race participant, volunteer or sponsor, please call 321-633-1000 ext 415 or register at give.takestockinchildren.org.

About Take Stock in Children

Take Stock in Children is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with a solid 16 year history of providing mentors, educational scholarships and hope for Florida’s low-income and at-risk youth. The organization has provided educational support and college scholarships for over 17,000 children in partnership with more than 800 public schools throughout 67 counties in Florida. It is the only scholarship mentoring program with the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education, and has attained a high school graduation rate of 92 percent in Florida (as compared to Florida’s average graduation rate of 76%). The program’s multi-year commitment to students and their comprehensive program services begin in middle school and continue through high school graduation and into college.  Special emphasis is placed on student accountability and specific measurable outcomes. Take Stock in Children students pledge to meet with their assigned mentor once a week, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and remain drug and crime free.  Upon successful high school graduation, as a fulfillment of their contractual agreement, students are then awarded a college scholarship to any college, university or vocational school in the state of Florida. To learn more about Take Stock in Children, please call 888-322-4673 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.