Nelidad applied for Hillsborough Education Foundation’s mentoring program, because she has big aspirations for a bright future! “I want more for our family. I want to make my mom proud. I want to be a role model for my siblings,” says Nelidad.

The Lennard High sophomore admits the path to high school hasn’t been easy. Her mom is a single mom with a third-grade education, raising Nelidad and her three siblings, while working in the fields. Her job has meant the family had to move around a lot. The kids frequently changed schools. The family’s struggles have inspired Nelidad’s dream to become an immigration attorney.

“I know there are no obstacles you cannot defeat,” says Nelidad. “I love having a mentor who helps me reach my academic and personal goals. I promise I will work hard and make the most of this opportunity.”

Bob Sanders and colleagues from Williams Company Construction volunteered for a very special delivery at Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School. The team unloaded box after box of Yoobi folders, pencils, erasers, scissors and more onto a cart—preparing to surprise dozens of teachers in their classrooms with the supplies they desperately need to effectively advance student achievement.

“These teachers need the tools to teach these kids. If we can help provide them—we’re happy to do it,” Sanders says.

Hillsborough Education Foundation invests in teachers, along with our community partners like Williams Company, to provide added supplies and support.

“We like to support the schools we do construction work for. This gets us closer to why we are doing this—the kids and the teachers,” says Sanders. “These kids are fabulous. Their teachers are a blessing to everyone. It’s an honor for us to be involved.”

Katherine, a Lennard High School Freshman, has always known she wanted to go to college to study medicine, she just didn’t know how she and her family would afford it—until she learned about Hillsborough Education Foundation’s mentoring program.

“I was interested in getting involved in this mentoring program because it’s a great way to prepare for my future and to make sure I’m on track with my work—so I’m the best possible student I can be.”

Mentees are paired with a college success coach and mentor and have the opportunity to earn at least a 2-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship. Katherine says she’ll make the most of this opportunity.

“It makes me feel very excited knowing that my future is on a great path and I will ultimately be able to do what I want in life.”

Mentor Joanne Sudman spent 43 years in education as a speech and language pathologist. Now retired, she wanted to continue to give back to students as a mentor.

“It’s probably the best way we can touch the lives of those students who are in need and help them,” says Sudman.

Joanne meets with her mentee several times each month during school hours. She hopes her support and guidance will help empower her mentee to achieve both academic and personal success—and plans to be one of her biggest cheerleaders long after graduation.

“I hope our relationship continues throughout college and the rest of her life—as long as I’m here,” Sudman says. “I’ve never seen a child so determined and focused. I have no doubt it’s going to lead her where she wants to go.”

Nicole Golden has been a teacher in Hillsborough County Public Schools for three years and works at Cleveland Elementary—one of our district’s 50 highest needs schools.

Not all her students have the supplies they need to succeed. She relies on Hillsborough Education Foundation’s Teaching Tools Resource Center—a store where Hillsborough County teachers in Title I schools can shop once a month—to help stock her classroom.

“I come to this store all the time. This is one of the first places I came when I was trying to build my classroom,” says Golden. “I have peace of mind that I can teach what I need to teach with the tools and resources.”

Last year, one shopping trip averaged $289 in supplies.

“When you don’t have to come out of pocket and have everything you need to teach and give your kids, it’s a great feeling! So, thank you!”

John Rose has spent more than 1,000 hours volunteering for Hillsborough Education Foundation—and was named our 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

“I originally started volunteering because I wanted to give back to the schools,” says Rose.
Rose, who is a teacher at Dorothy Thomas School, spends his time stocking shelves and doing whatever is needed around our Teaching Tools Resource Center—a store where Hillsborough County teachers in Title I schools can shop once a month for the classroom supplies students need to succeed.

“I know that Teaching Tools helps a lot of schools in need where students don’t have the necessities to get through the school day,” says Rose. “To give back to those schools is a great accomplishment and I feel like I’m doing my part.”