Safe Children Coalition Receives Grants for Achievers Program

September 4, 2024 | Sarasota

Many minority and underserved populations throughout the region have adverse circumstances that negatively impact youth: their caregivers’ financial hardships and limited resources may result in students having negative academic and social outcomes. Absenteeism, poor academic performance, and limited participation in school activities are just a few of the unintended and detrimental consequences when children lack the resources needed to thrive.

To assist underserved middle and high school students in achieving their educational, career and life goals, two foundations have awarded grants to support Safe Children Coalition’s Achievers program: the Adrienne A. Taylor Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, $22,839, and Publix Super Markets Charities, $5,000.

The Achievers program, which is free to participants, empowers underserved, minority students with disadvantageous conditions to set and achieve goals in both their educational and personal lives. It encourages continuous growth in the areas of personal development, college preparation, community service and leadership, cultural enrichment, and career options.

The program, which has served thousands of students in the community for over 30 years, is open to all middle and high school students in Sarasota County; no student is turned away. It has been proven to increase student participation in school programs, decrease school absenteeism and dropout rates, and prevent delinquent behavior.

Of the current participants, the majority of youths reside in single-parent households, with family size averaging 3-4 persons. The median family income is $30,000, which qualifies 80% of program participants to receive free or reduced lunch. The youth participating in the program are 94% minority.

While numbers vary from year to year, approximately 100 students participate in the Achievers program annually. The unique approach of the Achievers program combines role modeling, mentoring, exposure, and accountability to engage underserved youth in academic skill building, leadership activities and career and college exploration. Career cluster programming features Achievers alumni as well as professionals from the community and surrounding areas currently serving in the finance, education, and health and medical industries.

Thanks in part to generous foundation and corporate support, the program also provides scholarship opportunities to successful participants as they transition from high school to college (or technical school) as well as returning college students who were engaged with the program as teens, to support them in earning a postsecondary education degree.

“The students who participate in the Achievers program may be experiencing circumstances in their lives that can cause them to be at a disadvantage – as compared to their peers – academically and socially,” said Brena Slater, president and CEO of Safe Children Coalition. “The Achievers program integrates adult role modeling and mentoring, exposing youth to collegiate and vocational options, and holding youth accountable to increased academic performance and positive behavioral change. We are grateful to the Adrienne A. Taylor Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Publix Super Markets Charities for investing in the futures of our Achievers.”

For more information about the Achievers program and how you can help, call program director Jone Williams at 941-487-6600. To learn more about Safe Children Coalition, visit sccfl.org.