FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dr. Andrea Cummings, Executive Director
[email protected] 904.548.4464
Or Dee Torre Kauffman
Marketing & Development
[email protected] 904.708.7146
January 3, 2017 4:52 p.m.
Take Stock in Children of Nassau County, with the support of Rayonier Advanced Materials, hosted a new student orientation on December 3, 2016 at the FSCJ Nassau campus. There were 32 new students and 3 College Success Coaches (CSC’s) in attendance. The event was facilitated by Dr. Pam Mullarkey Robinson of Project SOS and members from the Nassau Alcohol Crime and Drug Abatement Coalition (NACDAC), as well as TSIC mentor U.S. Naval Sergeant Robert Crosby. Students participated in career and team building exercises designed to teach goal setting, boundary recognition, drug prevention, healthy relationship building, and media influences.
The retreat began at 9:30 a.m. with an introduction to the program by the Executive Director Dr. Andrea Cummings. A brief history and overview of the TSIC program was covered by Dr. Cummings, who spoke passionately about her belief in the power of the TSIC program to change the lives of our children; one child at a time. She also stressed the importance of community involvement and shared partnerships in making the program a success in Nassau County. The students in attendance were encouraged to stay focused on their educational goals while in high school in preparation for college.
TSIC Alumni Jessimine Bella Gonzales also offered inspiring words to the new TSIC students.
The morning session was brought to a close by Emma Coombs of NACDAC who entertained the students with an answer and question session in the form of a Jeopardy game as seen on television.
Sergeant Robert Crosby gave an inspirational speech to the students, which highlighted the benefits of their involvement with the TSIC program in Nassau County. He drew parallels between TSIC and a program called “Boost” that changed his life for the better, many years ago.
The Q&A was followed up by a small raffle as the students prepared to leave the facility.
Completed surveys were left on the tables by the students for the facilitators and TSIC staff.
About Take Stock in Children Nassau
Take Stock in Children Nassau, a Florida 501(c)3 non-profit organization has been providing volunteer mentors, scholarships and hope to more than 6,000 of Nassau’s deserving at-risk, low-income students since 1997. Reporting an unparalleled 100% annual high school graduation rate and a 91% college enrollment rate, TSIC Nassau is Florida’s flagship and most successful mentoring and scholarship program. TSIC Nassau scholars in middle and high school pledge to meet regularly with their mentor, maintain academic standards, and remain drug and crime-free on their way to achieving a high school diploma. The reward for fulfilling these commitments is a scholarship to a Florida state college, university or vocational school. To donate, volunteer or learn more about Take Stock in Children, please call 904-548-4464 or visit www.takestocknassau.org.
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