Investing in Futures: Highlights from the 2024 Take Stock in Children Manatee Impact Report
At Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, we believe in breaking the cycle of poverty through education, mentorship, and a meaningful investment in our youth. Our 2024 Annual Impact Report showcases another year of incredible strides, and we’re thrilled to share some key highlights with you!
A Year of Significant Growth and Impact: The 2023-2024 school year has been a testament to the resilience of our students and the unwavering support of our community. Despite unprecedented challenges, including the effects of three hurricanes, our scholars continued to thrive. We are incredibly proud to report an impressive 97% high school graduation rate for Take Stock Manatee graduates, significantly outperforming the state and national benchmarks. Even more remarkably, 92% of our program graduates enroll in post-secondary education, and 73% of our alumni go on to graduate from their post-secondary programs.
This success is fueled by dedicated mentorship, with over 280 volunteer mentors providing one-on-one guidance to our students. We’ve also seen a remarkable expansion of our scholarship portfolio, with a record-breaking 100 scholarships purchased in 2024, totaling over $408,055.31. This is nearly double the amount from just five years ago, underscoring our commitment to supporting more students than ever before.
Beyond Tuition: Holistic Support for Student Success: Our commitment extends beyond just tuition. We prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of our students, providing access to vital counseling and wellness resources. Our “Beyond Tuition” initiative is designed to eliminate barriers, ensuring students have access to the tools and support needed for higher education, career leadership opportunities, and overall success.
Spotlighting Our Stars: The report features inspiring stories like Lizbet Hernandez, a 2025 graduate and first-generation college student who exemplifies leadership and dedication in her pursuit of a career in dentistry. We also celebrate alumni like Tre’Miryah Miller, who is giving back to the community after successfully navigating her post-secondary journey with Take Stock’s support. And let’s not forget our incredible mentors, like Peg Delegato, recognized as our 2024 Mentor of the Year for her decades of commitment to education and social justice.
Our Community Makes the Difference: None of this would be possible without the unwavering generosity of our partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to our corporate partners like Kiwanis, Bealls, Neal Communities, and many more, as well as our education partners including Florida Prepaid and IMG. Our foundation partners, such as the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Manatee Community Foundation, also play a vital role.
Join Us in Building Brighter Futures: The journey doesn’t end here. Your support has made this incredible impact possible, and it’s just the beginning. We invite you to learn more, become a mentor, or make a donation to help us continue breaking the cycle of poverty and transforming lives in Manatee County.
Together, we’re building futures full of promise!