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BANK OF AMERICA PARTNERS WITH TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN TO SUPPORT COLLEGE SUCCESS COACHING PROGRAM Contact Name: Colleen Buchmeier Contact Email: colleen@takestocksarasota.org Contact Phone Number: 941-441-5746 Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County is proud to continue their community partnership with Bank of America. A recent $10,000 grant from the bank will support valuable college success coaching for over 300 economically disadvantaged students throughout Sarasota County Schools to transform their college dreams into reality. “Bank of America is an amazing partner to Take Stock in Children,” commented Take Stock in Children Executive Director Lisa Bechtold. “We are very grateful for their financial support as our program experiences substantial growth in the number of students we serve with college readiness resources.” Take Stock in Children has a 27-year history of proven student success by providing scholarships, mentors, and college success coaching which includes one-on-one advising, college readiness workshops, ACT/SAT preparation, and financial aid assistance. Student support services continue after high school through postsecondary degree/certification attainment ensuring students are workforce ready. “Boosting educational attainment beyond high school, as well as increasing access to mentorship, skills and workforce development programming is essential for students to achieve their full potential,” said Bank of America Sarasota/Manatee President Erik Vatter. “By partnering with Take Stock in Children, we are supporting the organization’s goal in helping underserved youth achieve financial stability and economic mobility, which in turn contributes to a thriving community. The monthly college success coaching sessions supported by Bank of America Charitable Foundation will prepare Take Stock students to make better academic, behavior, and college planning choices, increase their likelihood of college or career success, and make the most of the scholarship investment our community has made in them. This program will positively impact the community by developing students to become educated, employable members of the workforce, thus breaking a multi-generational cycle of poverty.