Congratulations to our Copper Key Scholars!

When reflecting on our life stations and achievements, we all generally recall the circumstances, individuals, decisions, and efforts that influenced and affected our outcomes.

It all comes down to opportunities—everyone which derived from someone who had something to offer, recognized something in us, and took a chance that we would make good on their instincts.

While reading this you’ve probably had the faces in your own personal hall of fame—family members, teachers, coaches, mentors—flash to mind.

For members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County (BGCMC), the opportunities offered inside the clubs vary drastically from what they face outside the clubs. Both can be life-changing—and in very different ways. Preparing them to make the right choice is a comprehensive and ongoing effort.

That’s why we’re so excited about the growth of the Copper Key Scholarship Promise, a newer collaborative program that not only offers kids amazing opportunities but also reimagines how to ensure they maximize what’s presented.

Created in conjunction with House of Hope, Nina Haven Scholarships and The Community Foundation of Martin St. Lucie, Copper Key Scholarship recipients are selected early—sixth- and seventh-grades. They must finish high school—and remain active memberships in our clubs while doing so. After graduation, they receive a full scholarship into a Florida college, university, or vocational school.

This is certainly a great opportunity, but on its own it’s not enough.

The values instilled in the clubs—good citizenship, nutrition and health lifestyles and academics—fortify our kids’ character and ready them for success. But the Copper Key Scholarship takes things a step further, involving their families in the benefits. House of Hope provides the parents/guardians counseling sessions, parent workshops and other tools of self-sufficiency to create more stable home environments and build strong families.

“There are very few programs that focus not just on the child being successful, but also on the entire family unit becoming a success,” says Jeronda Hill, BGCMC area director. “The goal is focusing on breaking these generational curses.”

Scholarship winners include:

Jonathan – 2019

Mildred – 2020

Nakayla – 2020

Valentina – 2021

Misha – 2021

Angie – 2021

Kamar – 2021

Keyon – 2021

Shanti – 2021

Walker – 2021

We congratulate them knowing full well, like so many of the kids in our clubs, that they always had what it takes to make the most of their lives. They just need people who care enough to invest the time and resources that prepare them to answer the door when opportunity knocks.

And when the door of opportunity—as is the case with many of our kids—is closed, they might need helping to unlock it. BGCMC and its partners have just the key—a copper one—to do so.

For more articles from the August 2022 Friends and Neighbors of Martin County visit: https://friendsandneighborsofmartincounty.com/friends-neighbors-aug-21-2022/