When Jayden joined our program in the 7th grade, he was quiet and unsure of his future. Raised by his grandmother, he struggled with confidence and never imagined he’d be the first in his family to go to college. That changed when he met his Take Stock mentor, Mr. Leon.
Their first meetings were simple—check-ins over lunch, talking about school, setting small goals. But over time, those conversations turned into deep discussions about perseverance, accountability, and dreams. “I didn’t think I was special,” Jayden says. “But Mr. Leon made me feel like I mattered. He helped me see things in myself I didn’t see before.”
Jayden started speaking up in class. He joined the robotics team. And this spring, after six years of mentorship and determination, he’s preparing to graduate with honors and attend Florida Atlantic University to study mechanical engineering.
“Mentorship helped me believe that I could become more than my circumstances.” – Jayden, Class of 2025
Mentors like Mr. Leon don’t just offer advice, they plant hope, build trust, and help students like Jayden see their own potential. The impact lasts far beyond a school year. Research shows that students with a mentor are more likely to attend college, stay on track academically, and become leaders in their communities.
At Take Stock in Children Palm Beach, we match every student with a caring mentor, provide a college scholarship, and walk with them from middle school through college graduation. It’s a long-term commitment that yields life-changing results.
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