A student’s zip code should not have more influence on her success than the dreams she holds in her heart. This was the tenet that started Booker Promise Foundation, a scholarship initiative aimed at helping Booker High students enter the workforce without college debt.
Providing mentorship, tutoring, and career planning, Booker Promise assists select high school freshmen until they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. Upon graduation, they are eligible for funding covering the cost of tuition and fees for an associate degree or technical certificate at a qualifying public Florida college.
The effort recently caught the attention of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, which will be matching all donations made to the organization up to $150,000. Funds will be used to purchase Florida Prepaid Scholarships for participating students.
“The weight of student loans should not be a deterrent for students who deserve an investment in their future,” says Teri A Hansen, President|CEO of Barancik Foundation. “
On top of tuition, the program builds a community of support around students to ensure their success. Central to the program is the College and Career Center which provides programs and services to assist students in realizing their goals. The curriculum includes boot camps during lunch and after school which range in topics from college applications, to resume writing, and career planning.
Booker Promise was established by a group of community leaders who saw untapped potential at Booker High. Chair of the Board of Trustees, Michael Shelton, has been a long-time ambassador for the school and the students they serve.
“This effort has been able to transform so many young lives, who otherwise would not have had the opportunity or resources to do so,” Shelton says. “With the support of Barancik Foundation’s gift, we hope the greater community will also rally behind these students and help them realize their dreams.”
To learn more or make a donation, visit www.bookerpromise.org
