By Lin Green
Columnist
As the 2025–2026 school year begins, families are checking off supply lists, teachers are preparing their classrooms, and students are stepping into new chapters. But for many in our own backyard, this time of year also brings uncertainty about meals, transportation, or even where they’ll sleep at night. That’s why now is the perfect time to shine a light on a cause quietly transforming lives year after year.
In a county often praised for its “A” rated school district, it’s easy to assume every student has what they need. But beneath the surface lies a story of resilience, community, and a call to action. One that Jean Van Smith and Stacey-Ann Moncrieffe, leaders within The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, are determined to tell.
Since 1987, the Foundation has quietly raised over $55 million to fill the gaps school funding can’t reach by providing backpacks, school supplies, mentoring, scholarships, and even retrofitted STEM buses. But according to Executive Director Jean Van Smith, the biggest challenge they face isn’t lack of funding, it’s lack of awareness. “People often say, ‘I didn’t know you existed,’” she shared. “If more knew, they’d find ways to help, and more students could be served.”
The Foundation serves as a bridge between schools and the community, offering programs like Take Stock in Children, a scholarship and mentoring initiative that follows students from 8th grade through high school graduation. Stacey-Ann, who began as a mentor herself, emphasizes the power of presence: “Just 30 minutes a week with a caring adult makes all the difference.”
The stories shared are unforgettable. Students once unsure where their next meal would come from now walk the stage at graduation with college scholarships in hand. One senior, once living in a car, was stabilized thanks to the district’s Families in Need program. A reminder that homelessness doesn’t always look like we think. Often it’s hidden, doubling up with relatives, hotel rooms, or temporary shelters.
In a time when inflation tightens every budget and giving slows, the Foundation is shifting focus from revenue growth to measurable impact. With over 3,300 students last year experiencing housing instability, the need is clear. The heart behind this work isn’t just about raising money, it’s about raising futures.
So what does success look like? It’s the student who graduates, goes to college, and comes back to serve. It’s the mentor who stays connected well beyond high school. It’s a community that says, “We see you—and we believe in you.”
To get involved (whether through donations, volunteering, or becoming a mentor) visit www.foundationscps.org . Sanford and Lake Mary students are especially in need of mentors. If you have time, heart, and a willingness to show up, this is your call.
Interested in becoming a Take Stock Mentor, email Shannon Rininger to learn more [email protected] or visit www.foundationscps.org
In addition to scholarships and mentoring, the Foundation supports more than 20 impactful programs. These include Tools 4 Seminole Schools (a free store supplying classrooms with essential materials) and Grants for Great Ideas, which fuels innovative teaching. Their Families in Need program partners with schools to support students facing homelessness, ensuring access to meals, supplies, and transportation. All of this complements their mission: to bridge school and community, and rally a village around every child.
You can learn more about the Families in Need (FIN) Program by visiting the site at https://www.scps.k12.fl.us/fin .
Hope is powerful. Be the reason a student keeps believing.
About the Author
Lin Green is an author, community advocate, and consultant specializing in nonprofit development and public speaking. Her book, Enough with the Secrets, Mama!, was featured in Times Square and is cataloged in multiple Seminole County Public Libraries - to include the Sanford branch. She is the founder of Issalivestyle by Lin Green, a platform dedicated to inspiration, healing, and empowerment. Lin has spent years working with at-risk youth, crime victims, and underserved communities, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to succeed.
Find more of her work at www.issalivestyle.com or connect with her on social media @issalivestyle. And if you’re wondering what else is in store—well, you’ll just have to keep reading.
