Stand Tall for Hope Mentorship Program

The Stand Tall for Hope Mentorship Program was created in partnership with the Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) in Seminole County, Florida. The mentorship program was created specifically to assist some of the 1,700 plus homeless children currently being served by the SCPS Families in Transition (FIT) Program.

"Homeless kids tip-toe in a world of insecurity, hoping to be invisible." Scott Pelley, CBS Evening News

Family homelessness in the United States is growing at alarming rates. There are over 1.35 million homeless school age children in our nation and Central Florida has not been excluded.  Since 2003, over 7,200 Seminole County homeless students have been identified and served by FIT, and in 2011 Chris Duhon Stand Tall Foundation have become an active partner with SCPS by creating - Stand Tall for Hope Mentorship Program.

Like many in our community, we have made a decision to ensure these children's lives change - that these students remain enrolled and are successful in school.

Our main focus of Stand Tall for Hope is to provide adequate and continuous mentorship throughout middle school and high school for students identified by the FIT program, in order to promote, advocate and mentor FIT students in their pursuit of higher education.  Our objective is to ensure that FIT students realize their potential, by providing them with the necessary support and resources to help them stay enrolled in school and achieve their long-term academic goals.  Our caring and supportive mentors play a vital part by being positive role models and helping FIT students expand their horizons, reach their potential and realize their dreams.

The impact of a mentorship for a FIT student is immeasurable, and can touch the student's life forever and guide them down a path they never would have imagined.  Some of the benefits of a Stand Tall for Hope mentorship include:

• Empowering and Assisting FIT Students to Reach their Potential
• Providing Students with Positive Role Models
• Emotional Support through Mentoring
• Creating Opportunities for FIT Students
• Promoting Academic Excellence
• Social Inclusion and Networking
• Increased Self-Esteem and Self-Image

With a supportive community behind us, we will mentor, inspire and change the lives of many homeless students in Seminole County as they transition through financial hardship.

We want you to join our team as a mentor. . .

We are looking for mentors from diverse backgrounds and all fields of business to guide, support and take an interest in the lives of FIT students to open up new worlds of possibilities.

Commitment:

1. Mentors should be willing to commit for a minimum of two years.
2. Mentors must undergo training provided by the Stand Tall Foundation.
3. Mentors must consent to a background check.
4. Mentors must demonstrate competency in working with young adolescents.
5. Mentors must meet with their mentees at least once a month.

Goals

1. To provide guidance in academia
2. To provide social guidance
3. To help students in their college transition process
4. To serve as a vehicle of communication between students and parents
5. To serve as a vehicle of communication between students and school

Stand Tall for Hope mentors will motivate, educate, inspire and encourage FIT students to reach their highest potential as ...architects ...accountants ...automotive technicians ...bankers ...coaches ...dentists ...pediatricians ...teachers ...veterinarians ...lawyers ...entrepreneurs ...engineers ...nurses ...musicians ...pilots ...writers ...teachers ...psychologists.

To become a Stand Tall for Hope volunteer mentor, please complete the online application or if you prefer, mail in an application, (download application here.)

• A formal application form
• Answers to questions 1-4
• Three (3) personal or professional references

Mentor's training will be conducted in Seminole County, Florida by FIT Mentorship Captain and local resident, Andrea Duhon.  Completed applications should be mailed to our main office:

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us.