To assist at-risk middle and high school students in achieving their educational, career and life goals, three foundations have awarded grants to support Safe Children Coalition’s Achievers program. Those who contributed funds to support the Achievers program are: the Harold C. and Jacqueline F. Bladel Foundation, $5,000; Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation, $2,500; and Wawa Foundation, $1,500. The Achievers program empowers at-risk, 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. It has been proven to increase student participation in school programs, decrease school absenteeism and dropout rates, and prevent delinquent behavior. Nearly 150 students participate in the Achievers program annually. 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 as well as returning college students who were engaged with the program as teens to support them with obtaining an advanced education degree. For more information about the Achievers program and how you can help, call program director Jone Williams at 941-487-6600. For more about Safe Children Coalition, visit sccfl.org.