BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota and Take Stock in Children of Manatee County have joined forces to create a scholarship program for the children of deceased or disabled veterans. The partnership is dedicated to serving the families of service members from all branches of the armed forces who have died or become disabled as a result of their military service.
Under the auspices of this partnership, Goodwill Manasota will be responsible for fundraising; Take Stock in Children (TSIC) will provide scholarship recipients with a Take Stock education and a future. Both organizations will participate in interviewing scholarship candidates.
Currently, TSIC provides scholarships to at-risk, academically-qualified students in grades 6-9 who face significant obstacles to furthering their education. The Take Stock model of providing a guaranteed college scholarship, a mentor, and college success coach has led to the organization’s scholars outperforming students on the national level. For example, among non-TSIC at-risk students nationwide, 32% enroll in college after high school graduation, while 96% of students from the same demographic in a Take Stock program enroll. Further, only 27% of non-TSIC at-risk students graduate from college and 67% of TSIC scholars achieve graduate from college. The organization is active in more than 800 schools throughout the state and represented in all 67 counties in Florida.
With the help of Goodwill Manasota’s Veteran Services Program, children of deceased or disabled veterans will now have a dedicated TSIC post-secondary scholarship and a mentor to enable them to reach their potential and become contributing individuals in the community.
Goodwill’s Veterans Service Program helps veterans to reintegrate back into civilian life through case management, job skill training, a wide range of career services, and employment. Goodwill also works with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans who are seeking educational assistance.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools in making a better life and achieving financial stability,” said Goodwill Manasota’s director of the Veterans Services Program, C.J. Bannister. “For the families of service members who have died or become disabled, beyond the emotional trauma, there are also significant financial obstacles now in their path. Through our partnership with Take Stock in Children, we can now help the children of these servicemen and women while honoring the great sacrifices they’ve made to our nation.”
For more information or to make a donation, call (941) 355-2721 or go to experiencegoodwill.org/donate and write “TCIS Scholarship” in the comment box.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2017, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placed 555 people in jobs, assisted 360 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce, and provided 19,540 hours of on-the-clock training for its employees. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 41 million pounds out of the landfill. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
About Take Stock in Children
Take Stock in Children, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, transforming Florida one student at a time. Working in every county throughout Florida, our mission is provide opportunities for post-secondary education for academically qualified students. We offer college scholarships to at-risk, academically-qualified students as early as sixth grade, provide caring volunteer mentors, and instill hope for a better life. Our comprehensive services begin in middle school, continue through high school, and include students’ transition into college and career.