WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
Think about your life: every success you’ve celebrated, every hurdle you’ve overcome. Chances are, you only got there because someone helped you—a teacher, mentor, parent, or friend. For hundreds of students across Florida, Take Stock in Children provides that same critical support. This life-changing program offers scholarships to students facing economic hardships and matches them with mentors who encourage, guide, and inspire them to achieve their goals.
Take Stock in Children’s Manatee County program has been a transformative force since its founding in 1996. Boasting a 97% high school graduation rate and over 92% college enrollment, the program has served more than 1,000 students over its three decades. Today, 244 dedicated mentors support 375 participating students. Plus, 347 scholars are currently pursuing post-secondary education, which speaks volumes about the program’s enduring impact.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to open doors for students and see them succeed,” says Anne LeBaron, CEO of Take Stock in Children of Manatee County. “Removing barriers to poverty is what we’re all about. Many of our students are the first in their families to graduate high school or attend college. With the right support, they realize education can take them to places they never imagined.”
Anne emphasizes the immense need in Manatee County, where 62% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch programs. “The barriers to success are real,” she adds. “But with our program, we remove as many of those barriers as possible – whether that’s through scholarships, mental health support, or practical needs like nursing uniforms or textbooks.”
In the last five years alone, Take Stock Manatee has tripled its scholarships from 30 to 100 annually. And thanks to the state’s dollar-for-dollar matching for scholarships, every donation to Take Stock has double the impact.
The Power of Showing Up
College tuition can open those doors to a brighter future, but the true strength of this program lies in mentorship – a simple yet transformative concept that drives meaningful change. Mentors meet with their students just 30 minutes a week during the school year, either virtually or in person. Over time, these consistent check-ins foster trust, build bonds, and widen students’ horizons.
“Our students often come from homes where higher education isn’t even a conversation, let alone an option,” Anne says. “With a mentor by their side, they discover that the world is out there for them.”
Ivory Matthews has mentored with Take Stock for over twelve years. “It’s been life-changing – not just for the students, but for me as well,” she says. “It’s amazing how much a little guidance and encouragement can boost their confidence. One student told me I was the only adult who ever asked about her day. Many of these kids are already smart and driven, but they face challenges at home – parents who are working multiple jobs or stretched too thin by other responsibilities. As mentors, we help fill the gap, keep students on track, and hold them accountable.”
When asked about her most rewarding experience as a mentor, Ivory shares, “I once mentored a student who was very closed off. I would show up to a session so excited to get started, and she wouldn’t be in the mood to speak. I would leave those sessions feeling so defeated, wondering if I was making any difference at all. She graduated, and years went by. Then, last Thanksgiving, I got a text from her which said, ‘Thank you for always showing up for me.'” Ivory pauses, tears in her eyes. “And then she wrote,’ I think about you every day.'”
Another mentor, Jim G., formed a strong bond with his mentee over the last five years and has watched him grow in confidence and maturity.
“You’re not just helping a student attain their goal—grades, jobs, college, whatever that might be,” Jim says. “You’re alongside them for the journey as they encounter trials, too. That’s what we do – we come alongside. These students fight the battles, and we’re coaching from the sidelines. And it’s awe-inspiring to see the battles being won.”
Empowering Students for Life
Take Stock in Children’s impact goes beyond even tuition and mentorship. During monthly workshops, guest speakers from different industries present on real-life topics, like managing stress, preparing for the SAT, or improving problem-solving skills. Practical and hands-on, these sessions help students prepare for all that life might throw at them. The program also connects students with local organizations, like Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Club, giving them chances to volunteer, explore career options, and gain valuable experience. Through internships and job training, students figure out what excites them and build skills they’ll carry into the future.
From speaking to staff and mentors in Take Stock, what’s clear is how deeply they care about each student. These connections far surpass the academic. Staff and mentors show up at school events, cheering students on and celebrating their wins, no matter how small.
Take Stock alumna Kiarra Louis reflects on the program’s profound impact on her life. “Not only did they believe in me and invest time, money, and energy, but they gave me the support and confidence I needed to grow, develop, and step out of my shell,” she says. “I’m forever thankful to Take Stock.”
Jim G.’s mentee, Brayan, explains how Jim’s presence changed everything for him. “I didn’t have a father figure growing up, but Jim has been like that figure to me. We really connected, not just academically, but over other things, like sports. Talking with someone who really cares about who you are and what your story is – who’s just there to guide you – it’s been incredible.”
After graduating high school, Brayan found further support through a College Success Coach, who played a key role in nurturing his love for community service. Now, besides pursuing higher education, Brayan has become active in programs like Key Club and the Youth Sarasota Leadership Program.
“College Success Coaches work closely with scholars to ensure a smooth transition into higher education, helping them tackle everything from financial aid applications to finding dorm rooms,” Anne LeBaron explains. “We implemented this initiative because we realized that simply handing over a scholarship wasn’t enough. These students need support every step of the way.”
For students like Brayan, reaching graduation is a triumph. But when they find direction, set goals, and take those first steps toward a future they can feel proud of, it has the power to change their entire life trajectory. This is where Take Stock in Children makes its greatest impact – not just by opening doors, but by giving students the confidence to walk through them, knowing someone is there to cheer them on every step of the way.
The Power of ‘Us’
As Take Stock in Children of Manatee County nears its 30th anniversary, Anne dreams of even bigger impacts. One idea is to establish a career development division to help graduates secure internships or jobs within the local community.
“Imagine if local companies hired our students, invested in their futures, and helped us fund more scholarships,” she muses. “It would create a cycle of opportunity that benefits everyone – students, businesses, and the community as a whole.”
Like the students Take Stock helps, the program can’t achieve its goals alone. Mentors like Ivory and Jim, donors who believe in the power of education, and local partners who champion the cause are all vital to its continued growth.
“We’re always in need of mentors,” Anne says. “There’s a place for everyone to contribute to our mission.”
Or, as Ivory Matthews likes to say, “Thirty minutes a week, and you can change the world.”
- For more information about Take Stock in Children of Manatee County or to get involved through mentorship or donations, visit manateetakestock.org.
