Dear Community Partners,


Welcome to the June edition of the Three Programs, One Mission Community Newsletter! As another school year comes to a close, we are celebrating the incredible achievements of our students and the bright futures that lie ahead. May was an exciting month, highlighted by our 3rd Annual College Decision Day, where more than 160 graduating seniors proudly walked across the stage to announce their college, university, or trade school of choice. It was an inspiring reminder of what is possible when students are given the support, mentorship, and opportunities they deserve.


Our seniors also participated in Senior Summit events at Palm Beach State College and Florida Atlantic University, where they toured campuses, connected with resources, and gained valuable insight into what to expect as they begin their next chapter this fall. These experiences help ensure our students feel confident and prepared as they transition from high school to higher education and career pathways.


As summer begins, we are already looking ahead. College for Kids remains committed to expanding our reach and serving even more students throughout our community. Through our "3 Programs, 1 Mission" approach, we support students from middle school through college completion and into skilled trades and workforce opportunities.

Thank you for being part of our College for Kids family. Your support continues to open doors, strengthen pathways, and shape brighter futures for students across Palm Beach County. We’re grateful to step into another month of impact together.


Warmly,



College for Kids, Take Stock in Children PBC, and the TradeUp Team.

 

PROGRAM NEWS

3rd Annual College Decision Day

Our 3rd Annual College Decision Day was a powerful celebration of achievement, perseverance, and bright futures, as we honored 160 graduating seniors and their postsecondary decisions. Surrounded by family, mentors, educators, and community supporters, students announced the colleges and universities they will attend this fall, marking an important milestone in their educational journeys.


During the celebration, we proudly announced the awarding of more than $1.6 million in Florida Prepaid tuition scholarships to our graduating seniors, further demonstrating our commitment to helping students achieve their college dreams. This year’s celebration carried even greater meaning as seniors who earned acceptance to a Florida university and demonstrated significant financial need received an upgrade from a 2-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship to a 4-year university scholarship, helping remove financial barriers and allowing students to pursue their goals with greater confidence. In addition, students attending Florida universities away from home who required housing support were awarded a 1-year dorm plan to assist with their transition to college life. 


Thanks to the incredible generosity of Comcast, every graduating senior also received a laptop to support their continued academic success. This meaningful donation ensures that students have the technology and resources they need as they begin the next chapter of their educational journey.



We were also honored to welcome Nicole Cummings, Program Manager for the RL10 Rocket Engine, who helped power NASA’s Artemis missions as our keynote speaker. Her inspiring message encouraged students to embrace resilience, remain focused on their goals, and believe in their ability to overcome challenges. Her words of wisdom left a lasting impact on our graduates as they prepare to step confidently into life after high school.


The event served as a reminder of the transformative power of mentorship, scholarships, community partnerships, and community support. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and look forward to watching these outstanding students continue to achieve greatness in college and beyond.

MENTOR NEWS

Mentors Celebrating Mentees

Our seniors shined on May 11, and we’re grateful to every mentor who came out to celebrate with them. Your encouragement helped make the day unforgettable. As graduation season continues, we want to recognize all senior mentors for the steady support you’ve provided throughout the year.


The celebration reflected the dedication, persistence, and teamwork our seniors and mentors have poured in all year.


Thank you, Mentors!

Future Makers: Exploring New Worlds

Our Future Makers series—our biweekly group sessions where we invite speakers from various organizations and career fields—brought two exciting experiences this month:


  • Through our Tools for Trade series, students met Demarion Ellick, a firefighter serving Hillsborough County. Originally from Palm Beach County, Demarion shared his personal path to becoming a firefighter, the certifications and training required, and what a typical day looks like in this rewarding profession. His presentation gave students a firsthand look at a vital public service career and the dedication it takes to succeed in the field.



  • Ashley Johnson, a renewable energy professional, who shared insights into the growing energy infrastructure industry and the many career opportunities available within it. Ashley discussed her journey in renewable energy development, how large-scale energy projects come to life, and offered valuable advice for students interested in STEM and sustainability-focused careers.


These experiences continue to expose students to a wide range of career pathways, helping them discover new interests, connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities, and envision their future success.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Countdown to the World Cup Starts Now!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than two weeks, and here's your chance to win a trip to the Championship Game on July 19th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. 


For every $100 donated to Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County, you will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win a trip for two to the biggest game of the year, plus $1,500 to spend on the trip. 


Two additional prizes are up for grabs, including a two-night stay at Wyndham Hotel Boca Raton with $250 to spend and a $500 gift card to NYY Steak at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.


Every entry supports sending underserved kids to college or trade school and making their dreams of a bright future come true. Get your raffle tickets HERE (A digital version of your ticket will be emailed to you.)


Through our partnership with Boca West Children’s Foundation, 100% of raffle ticket sales benefit Take Stock in Children PBC directly, while BWCF underwrites the prizes. It's a win-win! 

ALUMNI NEWS

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Your journey doesn't end at graduation—and we love celebrating the accomplishments of our alumni. Have you recently earned a degree, landed a new job, received a promotion, started a business, or reached another exciting milestone? Share your success story with us! Your experience can inspire current students and fellow alumni while helping us showcase the impact of our program.


We're also continuing to connect alumni with valuable career and workforce opportunities through our partnership with CareerSource Palm Beach County. If you're seeking employment, career advancement, training opportunities, or other professional resources, be sure to complete our CareerSource interest form so we can connect you with the support you need.


Click the links below to share your success story and explore career opportunities. We can't wait to hear what's new in your life!

Share Your Success Story: HERE.



CareerSource Interest Form: HERE.

WAYS TO SUPPORT


Current Take Stock Mentors, don't forget to check out the Mentor HUB for regular updates and info!

Building Futures. Changing Lives. Together.

Imagine a child waiting for the support and guidance that could change their life - knowing time is slipping by. If 400 of us give just $10 a month, we can move one student off the waitlist every month and give them the chance they’ve been hoping for. That’s the impact of showing up together when it matters most.

Every day, students in our community carry burdens far heavier than most people realize - instability at home, financial uncertainty, and the pressure of being the first in their family to imagine a different future. Yet they continue to show up, work hard, and hold onto the hope that education can change everything.


A $10 monthly Stockholder gift gives the students we serve the stability, mentorship, and opportunity they need to stay on track and keep moving toward the futures they deserve.


Become a Stockholder today - a child’s future shouldn’t have to wait.

We appreciate your time and interest in our organization. Through College for Kids, Take Stock in Children, and TradeUp, we serve Palm Beach County students across every stage of their journey — from middle school to college to skilled trades. College for Kids provides academic enrichment and group mentoring starting in 6th grade, building the foundation for future success. TradeUp offers hands-on training and industry certifications in high-demand skilled trades, creating direct pathways to stable careers. Our Take Stock program alone holds a "best in class" rating from the Florida Legislature, with students achieving 99% high school graduation and a 74% attainment of postsecondary credentials. Take Stock in Children is the single-largest nonprofit purchaser of Florida Prepaid College Foundation Scholarships, with assets over $250M, and over $23M awarded locally. Scholarship plans are purchased at half price and matched dollar-for-dollar, enabling us to use your funds to serve twice as many students. Together, we're not just changing individual lives, we're strengthening our entire community, one student at a time. Thank you for being part of this mission.

 
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