Men’s Basketball Partners with Take Stock in Children to Mentor Area Youth

Take Stock in Children members listening to FSCJ Men's Basketball player Jordan Smith
October 29, 2024

The Florida State College at Jacksonville men's basketball team is proud to announce their new partnership with Take Stock in Children (TSIC) of Florida. TSIC is a nonprofit mentorship program for students in middle school and high school. Its mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, underrepresented, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for degree attainment through postsecondary education.

"The next generation of mentors is here," TSIC mentor coordinator Sarah Bobbitt joyfully announced. "This partnership with FSCJ Men's Basketball gives me hope that the values of service and volunteerism will continue with Gen Z leading the charge and positively impacting the lives of young people in our community."

Each player—and coach—for FSCJ Men's Basketball has already been matched with their mentee—a male student at either a middle school or high school in Jacksonville. Matching was completed by TSIC and could be based off location preference of each of the men's basketball players, allowing the student-athletes to potentially mentor someone from his own neighborhood or alma mater. The mentors and mentees will meet a minimum of twice a month until the end of the 2024-25 academic year.

"It's an incredible opportunity for us to join Take Stock, and I know these students will be just as much of a positive influence for us as we can be for them," said head coach John Putyrski. "It wasn't too long ago each of our players were just in middle school and high school—many right here in Jacksonville—so now they're able to help a version of their younger selves. For many, it will be a young man from their own local community, and I couldn't be happier for that significance."

Take Stock In Children offers college scholarships, volunteer mentors, in-school support, and a pathway to a brighter future. Services begin in middle school and extend through high school, easing the transition to college. In 2014, Goodwill Industries of North Florida, Inc. became the lead agency for the Duval program and has since expanded into Putnam and Suwannee Counties. Currently, TSIC has 440 students enrolled and has maintained an impressive 100% graduation rate.

The teamwork and commitment of FSCJ Men's Basketball will enhance the existing mentor network. This partnership not only fosters personal growth for the men's basketball players but also empowers the Jacksonville youth through the mentors' unwavering support and determination.

FSCJ Men's Basketball has already scheduled their "Take Stock in Children Night" for December 6th at home versus Florida Southwestern State College, where each mentee and his family will get to watch and cheer on their new mentor, friend, and favorite basketball player.

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