INK! recognizes National Mentoring Month in January and seeks individuals for support

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Jan. 19, 2023 - PRLog -- The St. Johns County Education Foundation which operates as Investing in Kids (INK!), is seeking mentors during National Mentoring Month in January, and beyond, for the Take Stock in Children® program. The program aligns with the Nation's formal proclamation to recruit and support dedicated adults whose wisdom, guidance, and positive examples can help children follow a sound path and prepare them to succeed.

INK! has an ongoing mission to provide innovative programs and classroom resources to promote the academic success of students in the St. Johns County School District, Fla. Since 1998, INK! has been the exclusive umbrella agency for the St. Johns County Take Stock in Children® (TSIC) organization. TSIC provides low-income students with a unique opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty through mentorship, education, college success coaching, and the opportunity to earn college scholarships.

"We are seeking mentors to work with students from eighth through 12^th grades," said Donna Lueders, INK! Executive Director. "I encourage individuals to partner with us and provide new mentorship opportunities or continue their mentoring experiences," she said. "Mentoring, at its core, confirms to young people there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in day-to-day challenges, and supports and affirms their identities and goals."

Students are selected for TSIC when they are in the eighth grade in St. Johns County public schools. Upon acceptance into the program, students sign a contract to maintain a minimum 2.5-grade point average (GPA), continue good behavior and attendance, and remain drug and crime free. The program is the only public-private partnership of its kind in the U.S.

Trained and supported mentors facilitate a variety of youth development and enrichment experiences, help youth explore and affirm their identity, provide navigational support around school-to-work transitions, and safeguard against adversity in school and out of school.

For more information about the Take Stock in Children program and to apply to be a mentor, visit the website at https://ink-stjohns.org/programs-tsic or contact Jim Wheeler at (904) 547-7121 or James.Wheeler@stjohns.k12.fl.us.