The Manatee School District's Take Stock in Children program honored mentors at a recent luncheon

(BRADENTON FL - January 29, 2006) Reverend Rozell Foster knows first-hand about the importance of mentors. When he was young man, Foster's grandfather provided him with loving lessons that stick with him to this day.

“He taught me what it means to be a man,” said Foster, speaking at a Mentor Appreciation Luncheon put on by the Take Stock in Children program in Manatee County. The luncheon was held Jan. 25th, at Palm Aire Country Club.

“My grandfather taught me that education is the key to getting to where you want to go,” said Foster, who earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies and is now working on his Master's Degree. Foster has also started his own men's mentoring program known as Iron Sharpens Iron.

“As a pastor, my grandfather used to oversee seven churches and I would go along with him,” Foster said. “He would tell me to bring my homework along so I could get it done.”

While Foster was the featured speaker, the purpose of the Take Stock in Children luncheon was to honor and acknowledge volunteers who go into Manatee County's public schools to make a difference in a child's life.

The Take Stock in Children program takes high-potential, low-income students and matches them with a mentor. Students who maintain good grades, exhibit positive behavior and remain drug and crime free, receive a four-year college scholarship and career counseling and guidance once they graduate from college.

Laraine Batista, who works for the school district as a Migrant Home School Liaison, was one of the mentors who attended the luncheon. Batista mentors three migrant students at Lakewood Ranch High and said she knows of seven migrant students who have gone to college through the Take Stock in Children program.

Batista said she really appreciated the luncheon, which was organized by the local Take Stock in Children staff of Sharon Albrecht (Mentor Development), Diana Dill (Program Administrator), Jane Young (Administrator) and Doug Wagner (Program Director).

“It was really wonderful,” Batista said. “It was great to get together with other people who take an interest in mentoring children.”

Members of the recently organized Take Stock in Children's Leadership Council who attended the luncheon included School Board member and Chairman Walter Miller, Dr. Sharon Burke, Steven Cecil, Alex Chavez, Brenda Harvey, Cynthia Lorraine and Jeff Williams.

In addition to a fine meal and desert, a bevy of nice door prizes were given away to guests by the Take Stock staff. All of the mentors left the luncheon knowing their contributions counted and are appreciated.

“We want you to know that we recognized that mentors are the backbone of our program,” Albrecht said.