Verizon Foundation awards a 20,000.00 grant for Decisions To Win Program. Decisions to Win is a partnership program with the public school system, which identifies high school youth at risk for dropping out of school due to low grade point averages and/or insufficient credits to graduate on time and assigns them to specific prevention programs. The academic program emphasizes a self-paced, computer-based approach focusing on career training, and is carried out in collaboration with the local technical institutes and other local completer courses. Students are encouraged to participate in Decisions to Win by the awarding of half a credit toward graduation. Student participants are gradually led through a twelve-lesson curriculum by an individual mentor specially trained in the program curriculum.

The Decisions to Win program provides an enhanced BBBSSC curriculum focusing on crucial life skills while at the same time incorporating the one-to-one mentoring that provides individual support, guidance and friendship. The connection is encouraged to continue through the summer months to provide the student with a bridge of consistency to transition smoothly into the next academic school year and eventual employment. 

The Rays Baseball Foundation, the official charity of Tampa Bay Rays, awarded a total of $145,000.00 to three local non-profit organizations through the clubs All-Star Grant.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast will receive a $25,000.00 grant.  “The Rays are proud to fund and partner with each of these organizations who do so much to impact the lives of children and families throughout Tampa Bay,” Said Rays President Matt Silverman.  “In concert with the regional growth of the Rays organization, the Rays Baseball Foundation continues to expand its reach, making significant investments throughout our community.”

The Rays Baseball Foundation grant will allow Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast to promote the Sports Buddies program.  Sports Buddies is a one-to-one mentoring program targeting volunteer mentors with an interest in sports.