Mentors & Milestones Podcast

Send us Fan Mail As we continue to celebrate 30 years of scholarships, mentors, and hope throughout the state, we want to draw attention to Florida’s panhandle in Escambia County, home of Mrs. Sally Lee, our longest serving network staff member and dedicated mentor.  In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Sally to explore her incredible 25-year journey with the Take Stock in Children of Escam...

Send us Fan Mail Our 2025 Take Stock in Children Mentor of the Year, Cheryl Blakeney, has always been interested in mathematics and helping others. Both passions exponentially grew when Cheryl, also known as "Mrs. B," joined the Take Stock in Children of Seminole County program in 2001. For nearly 24 years, Cheryl has been a committed volunteer mentor, helping students and parents alike....

Send us Fan Mail Many of our Take Stock alumni can pinpoint that one person in their lives who inspires what they do today. For Mike Mills, a 2006 alum from the Take Stock in Children program in Marion County, it was his mentor, Kevin Christian. Kevin’s care and investment in Mike’s success in academics and life skills helped the student achieve many professional and personal accolades, including...

Send us Fan Mail Michelle Campbell, an alum from Take Stock’s first class in our Take Stock Duval program (2001), said this about her life-changing experience: “Because of Take Stock in Children, I have successfully earned my degree and embarked on a fulfilling career. Being one of the first recipients of the scholarship in 1995 has had a lasting impact on my life, and I am forever grateful for th...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Doug Durand carries many titles at Take Stock. Dr. Durand is a former Take Stock mentor, former Take Stock Board Chair, and current Board Member. He is a father and father figure to many Take Stock students. On the Mentors & Milestones Podcast, Dr. Durand shared one memorable moment of his time as a Take Stock Sarasota mentor. It speaks to the power of a caring mentor in a...

Send us Fan Mail We’re honored to have John F. Davis, Secretary of the Florida Lottery , join us on the Mentors & Milestones Podcast to discuss the Bright Futures Scholarship program ! We discussed the importance of scholarships and mentoring in the lives of Florida students, much like Secretary Davis at one point. Parents and mentors—don’t miss this episode on how to support your students in...

Send us Fan Mail Our latest episode features Marissa Brown, a Take Stock Marion alum who has returned to give back as a mentor. Marissa’s journey highlights the incredible impact of the Take Stock in Children program on students and their ability to make a difference in the community. Follow Take Stock in Children on Facebook , Instagram , X , and LinkedIn ! Learn more about Take Stock in Children...

Send us Fan Mail For foster care students, the odds of graduating high school, enrolling in college, and obtaining a 4-year degree are steep. With the college enrollment rate at an average 20% compared to the 66% national average, it is vital that at Take Stock we help Florida foster care students break the cycle of poverty through education. One of our many success stories in this effort comes fr...

Send us Fan Mail With the new school year comes many new stressors for the students in our lives. From navigating new school environments to overcoming anxiety, bullying, and more, there are ways that parents and mentors alike can support their students’ mental well-being and resilience throughout the school year. In this episode of the Mentors & Milestones Podcasts, we learn from Sarah Living...

Send us Fan Mail We're kicking off the school year with an important reminder about completing the FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid). We spoke with Melissa Rosa-Alvarez, Project Manager of TRIO Connections for Central Florida , about the importance and benefits of filling out the FAFSA form. Melissa also answered common questions for parents and mentors to encourage their st...

Send us Fan Mail June is Responsible Fatherhood Month in Florida! This month, we collectively celebrate fathers! Fathers and father figures are pivotal to the lives of their children every day. In this episode of the Mentors & Milestones Podcast, we talk with Chris Sprowls, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and advocate for the Father First initiative. In this conversation...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Wilnic Gideon, Take Stock Palm Beach alum (2006) and Take Stock Mentor of the Year (2014), gave time as a volunteer mentor while working in the Palm Beach School District and earning a doctoral degree. Today, Dr. Gideon is a principal at a middle school in the State of Washington and the author of Mindful Learning: Unlocking the Gifts of the Teenage Brain . Dr. Gideon reflects...

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to go after your dreams? Take Stock Collier County-Champions for Learning program alum, Leaders 4 Life fellow, and mentor Tien Nguyen, dreamt of working in aquaculture and has been laying the groundwork for making that dream a reality. Despite the obstacles and cultural expectations from parents, Tien overcame. Tien is a true definition of determination to s...

Send us Fan Mail Take Stock Nation! May kicks off College Decision Month in our Take Stock program! This is one of our favorite times of the year as we celebrate our graduating seniors' choices for college. In this episode, we hear from several Take Stock seniors about their upcoming plans for school and what Take Stock means to them.  Students featured from: Take Stock Broward, Champions for...

Send us Fan Mail Take Stock Duval County alum Alexis Gant (2017) is a true example of our mission to break the cycle of poverty through education. Alexis’ experiences in the Take Stock Duval County program helped the alum grow and make decisions that led to a successful career in education. You don't want to miss this inspiring episode! Follow Take Stock in Children on Facebook , Instagram ,...

Send us Fan Mail We’re celebrating Florida Volunteer Month with this special episode of the Mentors & Milestones Podcast! We talked with Josie Tamayo, CEO of Volunteer Florida , who we honored as our Take Stock 2024 Champion of Volunteerism at the Leadership Day at the Capitol this January. Josie shares with us how getting involved in your community can be a life-long, life-changing experience...

Send us Fan Mail The pathway to career success isn’t always linear, but Take Stock Citrus alum Paisley Greer’s story reminds us that you’re never without a few signs to stay on track. In this Mentors & Milestones Podcast episode, Paisley shares a unique connection to Take Stock in Children and the alum’s motivating career journey. Follow Take Stock in Children on Facebook , Instagram , X , and...

Send us Fan Mail Travel can be a life-changing experience, especially for our Take Stock students at Take Stock Monroe . The program has been able to support its students' learning experiences abroad through partnership with the Experiment in International Living program. Johnny Louis, a Take Stock Monroe alum (2011), shared how Take Stock and this study abroad program in high school opened t...

Send us Fan Mail Congratulations to our 2024 Alumni of the Year, Ashlyn Borden of Take Stock Sarasota! In this episode of Mentors & Milestones, we hear about Ashlyn’s experience in Take Stock as a student and how her time with Take Stock inspired the alum to give back to the next generation of students as a teacher and committed Take Stock mentor. We also identify some multigenerational differ...

Send us Fan Mail Mary Green is a Take Stock Leaders 4 Life fellow from the all-female class of 2016. We hear Mary's story of support, self-advocacy, and determination to give back to all—from kids to animals! Don't miss Mary's inspiring journey to social work and community impact.   Follow Take Stock in Children on Facebook , Instagram , X , and LinkedIn ! Learn more about Take Stoc...

Send us Fan Mail The impact of Take Stock is amplified in the students who go on to graduate and reach their potential, as well as inspire others to do the same through their exemplary leadership. Take Stock Broward alum Alfonso Mejia shares what Take Stock’s impact on the student’s life to reach higher, break cycles, and serve as a Take Stock Leaders 4 Life fellow. Follow Take Stock in Children o...

Send us Fan Mail One key to success for a mentor-mentee relationship is to find common ground, or in this case, a common thread. Sandie Perreault, a Take Stock DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands Counties mentor and mentee, Star, found a mutual interest in crocheting, and the rest is Take Stock history. Sandie shares how to build a relationship with the students or mentees in your life in this new episo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Mentors & Milestones Podcast, we talk with 2023 Take Stock Mentor of the Year, Eddie Rhodes of Take Stock Palm Beach County! Mr. Rhodes’ lifelong commitment to mentoring is a ripple effect following Rhodes’ own experience as a mentee while growing up in Palm Beach County.  Rhodes is proud to give back to the Palm Beach community and help impact the lives...

Send us Fan Mail Our 2023 recap couldn’t be complete without hearing from one of our 2023 Take Stock Mentors of the Year—Jeff Siebenaller of Take Stock Seminole! After 12 years of service dedicated to mentoring 14 students in the Take Stock program, Jeff has plenty of fond memories, wisdom, and hope for the future, which Jeff shares in this episode of the Mentors & Milestones Podcast. Follow T...

Send us Fan Mail We're honored to hear from Take Stock mentor Lynn Houser, who shares the mentor's perspective in this new episode. This Take Stock story is a follow-up to Nicolas Légeret-Harris' episode on being Lynn's mentee. From growing up in eastern Tennessee to embracing a full life in Hillsborough County, Lynn has given us all inspiration to become more than a mentor to...