Lifelong Friends

When Sarah Hall’s mom called the Alachua County Take Stock In Children program to let us know they had transferred from Marion County, she called from a homeless shelter.  Despite being homeless and transient through much of her high school career, Sarah earned a Bright Futures scholarship in addition to her 2+2 TSIC scholarship. Sarah and her Take Stock In Children mentor, Linda Jenkins, formed a strong friendshipand Linda helped Sarah navigate high school, jobs and, ultimately, college applications.  Sarah started at Florida International University in the fall of 2007 and plans to study nursing with the hope of becoming a midwife.

“Working with Sarah was one of the most rewarding things I have done. She inspired me to look at my life and appreciate all that I have. Sarah has had very little given to her in life, but every time I met with her I came away with pride in what she accomplished throughout high school,” Linda said, reflecting on their relationship. “When I first met her and her family, they were living in a homeless shelter. Now Sarah is enrolled in college and on her way to a new life. Her story clearly illustrates why Take Stock in Children is the outstanding program that it is. We can see the results so clearly.”

Former Take Stock Scholar Advises New Class

In the fall of 1996 Porfirio Laboy signed his Take Stock in Children contract as a 7th grader and began his journey as a Take Stock scholar. While at Westwood Middle and Gainesville High School, Porfirio worked closely with his volunteer mentors, Melanie Shore and Roslyn Levy. He made the most of this scholarship opportunity by first attending Santa Fe Community College and then the University of Florida, where he is now a senior majoring in Family, Youth, and Community Services. Porfirio supplemented his Take Stock in Children scholarship by remaining active in the ROTC, and upon graduation, he will enter the Army Reserves as a Second Lieutenant and management at Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

At the Contract Signing for the incoming Take Stock in Children “Class of 2013,” Porfirio spoke words of wisdom, encouraging the scholars to realize that time goes quickly, but nothing in life is impossible. “Regardless of your life circumstances, anything is possible if you take advantage of the opportunities life presents to you, including this wonderful program,” Porfirio said.

“Pay Back” Time for Former Scholar

Michelle Garrison always knew that she was meant to be a teacher.  When Michelle was an 8th grade student at Hawthorne Middle/High School, she received an 8th Grade Incentive Scholarship from the Foundation, a program that was the precursor to the Take Stock in Children program.  Upon graduation, she attended Santa Fe Community College and University of Florida to earn her teaching degree.  In order to repay the community that supported her dreams, Michelle is now mentoring a Take Stock in Children “Class of 2013” 7th grade scholar.

“I am thrilled to be a Take Stock in Children mentor, especially to one of the newest recipients and my former student, Courtney O'Brien.  She speaks of being a lawyer one day and I hope that I am there to see her off to college knowing she's on the right path thanks to the Take Stock in Children program,” said Michelle.  “I was able to obtain my dream of becoming a teacher with the support of the Foundation.  I know that Courtney has heard my story, which I tell every year on the first day of school.  I am proud to be able to serve now as Courtney’s mentor, friend, and role model for as long as she so chooses.”