Organization Name: Take Stock in Florida Palm Beach County
Program Name: Male Student Expansion Growth Initiative
The Program Need:
When people hear Palm Beach County, they think dollar signs. In fact, the West Palm Beach/Palm Beach area ranks 3rd in the nation for cities with the fastest growth in millionaires, experiencing a 93% increase in millionaires between 2013 and 2023 (Henley & Partners USA Wealth Report.) Despite this incredible wealth and the many affluent communities in our county, 43% of households struggle to make ends meet (2023 ALICE Report, United Way.) Children living in our county's impoverished areas are not only underserved but uninvited from opportunities that will uproot their families from generational poverty. Students lack social-emotional learning opportunities, positive role models, academic support, and post-secondary access.
There is an urgent need to address the educational disparities faced by underserved male students, particularly in the pursuit of higher education. Data consistently shows significantly fewer males attaining college degrees than females.
According to recent studies, boys face numerous challenges that hinder their educational progress. These include limited access to quality educational resources, lack of role models and mentors, and systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality. By providing targeted support and college scholarships, Take Stock in Children aims to bridge this gap and empower these students to reach their fullest potential.
Why is this project transformational?
By actively recruiting and enrolling more male students in southern Palm Beach County, we aim to create a more equitable and inclusive environment that benefits all participants.
Each of the 25 new male students in South County schools will be provided with complete program services, including:
• Weekly One-on-One Youth Mentoring
• Weekly Academic Coaching & SAT/ACT Prep with an assigned Coach • Monthly Club Meetings & Workshops focused on overcoming systemic barriers
• College Access and Transition Services
• Guaranteed 4-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarships
• Post-Secondary Advising
• Workforce Development Opportunities
Our long-term commitment through college completion, is crucial for underserved students who may face additional challenges in pursuing higher education. Our mentors and college readiness coaches provide one-on-one academic & social-emotional support services, helping our students stay on a positive life trajectory. Our outcomes create a positive ripple effect on a student’s entire family and the wider community. Take Stock Scholars are more likely to secure higher-paying jobs, which help lift their families out of poverty and contribute to the community’s overall economic development.
How will the Impact100men of Palm Beach County’s money be used?
This is a matching grant initiative with the Deluca Foundation and the Florida Prepaid Foundation to increase our enrollment of underserved, at-risk, male students in our program, by adding 25 new students south of Lake Worth Road, by school-year end 2026. Each will be given a 4-year full tuition college scholarship upon high school graduation, valued at $16,000 each.
Purchase cost of 25x 4-year full-tuition college scholarships at $16,000 (value) Total: $400,000 will be covered by the Frederick A. Deluca Foundation: ($200,000) and the Florida Prepaid Foundation: ($200,000) with a dollar-for-dollar match on scholarship purchase.
An Impact 100 Men Grant: ($75,000) will cover program and mentoring expenses for each student: $3,000 x 25.
Total Budget for program: $475,000