Suncoast Credit Union has awarded $75,000 to the Education Foundation of Sarasota County to support its work in helping students make purposeful plans that prepare them to succeed in life after high school.
This grant, which is for the 2022-23 academic year, will support the Education Foundation in building off its existing college, career, and life-readiness work to make resources and services more accessible to students, especially low-income and minority students.
The Education Foundation’s effective Student Success Center model is a one-stop shop where students can work one-on-one with an experienced student success coach and access resources and tools that help them prepare for life after high school.
“Like Suncoast Credit Union, we work to improve the lives of individuals in the community, and our support of students and teachers prepares them to thrive, which keeps our community thriving,” Education Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Vigne said.
Student Nathan Varley with Student Success Coaches Diana Berris and Sarah Harding outside the Student Success Center at Sarasota Military Academy.
“The Education Foundation believes that each and every student is better prepared for life when they have personal agency, access to resources, and a plan for after graduation that equips them to take the first steps of adult life. That is why preparedness is at the heart of our student success work,” Vigne said.
With the Suncoast Credit Union award, the Education Foundation will staff a new Student Success Center at Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) and provide students in South Sarasota County with accessible one-on-one coaching and advising through a student success coach who will meet students at North Port High School, nearby cafes, or virtually.
In addition, the Education Foundation will boost student success services already offered at LaunchPad4U, a community resource center near downtown Sarasota, by increasing workshops, open houses, and one-on-one advising opportunities.
Students’ life readiness skills will be enhanced with the piloting of the interactive Project Wayfinder Core Curriculum with SMA students in grades 9 – 12.
The award also will support the STRIVE Awards that recognize and celebrate accomplishments of 35 juniors and 35 seniors in Sarasota County’s seven high schools, and it will recognize teachers and the vital role they play in students’ lives through enhancement of the EducateSRQ grants program and the Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Awards.