For Immediate Release
MENTORING SUCCESS STORY LEADS AT-RISK CENTRAL FLORIDA STUDENTS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE WITH SCHOLARSHIPS FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY AND FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Two Bridges of Light Participants Receive Scholarships
Orlando, Florida (May 22, 2015) – The Bridges of Light Foundation (BOL) has been giving the gift of education to atrisk Central Florida youth with its Educational Tutoring Program (ETP) since 2004 through partnerships with the Orange County Public School System and a local foster care facility, Great Oaks Village. The ETP provides personalized one-on-one tutoring and mentoring in order to increase academic confidence and success while simultaneously building life skills to help them become productive members of society. This fall, Skyler will be graduating from Orange County’s Boone High School with a full tuition scholarship to Full Sail University. Full Sail University offers campus degree programs that are designed for the world of entertainment and media with an approach centered on real-world industry experience. After a challenging seven years, Skyler went against all odds and in the fall will begin pursuing his dream of becoming a studio engineer. “I struggled with believing in myself, because those around me never believed,” Skylar was 10 years old when entered the ETP at Great Oaks village. Another success story coming out of Great Oaks Village is James who challenged himself and worked hard to get into his dream school, Florida State University. James plans on majoring in business and is looking forward to his first semester of college this fall. James also received acceptances from other Florida universities, but said he only could see himself a Seminole!
The Bridges of Light Foundation relies on private donations and corporate sponsorships to fund crucial programs like the Educational Tutoring Program. On Saturday, September 19th, 2015 the 12th Annual Player’s Ball Proudly Presents: An EMMIE Affair, which will be held at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The planning team has informed guests to “Expect the Unexpected.” This year they unveil EMMIE, the education owl in the new logo. Her name has come to symbolize the core values of the Foundation as it is an acronym for "Educate, Mentor, Motivate, Inspire, and Empower." The annual gala is known for its entertainment and culinary experience, this year designed by renowned chefs, Francis Metais and Bernard Fiemeyer. The event features interactive entertainment, dancing, a spectacular silent auction and a celebration of accomplishments with a look forward to the coming year. About Great Oaks Village Great Oaks Village is a residential foster care home for children who have been removed from their home due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The facility is comprised of five cottages serving youth ages 6-18+. Great Oaks Village provides an array of services to the youth including counseling, case management, recreational, educational, nutritional, and medical services. The independent living program teaches the residents about budgeting, finance, and provides them with necessary job skills in order to work towards their career goals. About Bridges of Light Established in 2004, The Bridges of Light Foundation’s (BOL) primary objective is to provide educational and financial resources for abandoned, abused and neglected Central Florida youth. The community partnerships began with foster care facilities such as Great Oaks Village, and organizations such as After-School All-Stars. In 2013 they were given the green light by the Orange County Public School System to begin implementing the Educational Tutoring Program (ETP) starting with Carver Middle School. Through the program, children are prepared to graduate high school and enter into the work force and college. Through the personalized one-on-one instruction, guidance, and mentoring, the program is consistently successful in achieving an overall increase in the GPAs of these students as well as in their self-confidence and overall demeanor. Together we can continue to build bridges to a brighter future! For more information visit http://bridgesoflightfoundation.org.
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Stacey Papp, Founder | 407-758-8587 | bridgesoflight@bellsouth.net Paula Wyatt, Posh Able Events | 321-946-6565 | paula@poshableevents.com