LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (June 26, 2024) – Thanks in part to a Neal Communities donation to Take Stock in Children, of Manatee County, Owen Ferreto will pursue a degree in environmental studies at the University of South Florida at St. Petersburg this fall. Ferreto is the recipient of a $10,800 award, donated by Neal Communities, a longtime supporter of the Take Stock in Children program in Manatee County.
The mission of Take Stock in Children is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for a postsecondary education. The students, from middle to high school age, are matched with a volunteer mentor, provided college readiness services and a dedicated college success coach. Each student is awarded a college scholarship and provided with postsecondary support through degree or certification attainment.
“Your investment in my education means a lot to me and my family,” says Ferreto. “Inspired by Neal Communities’ values, I am committed to working hard and giving back to the community. This generous support will greatly assist me in pursuing my studies in Environmental Science.”
Neal Communities is an avid supporter of the Take Stock in Children program in Manatee County. As the largest privately owned home builder in Southwest Florida. In total, Neal Communities has donated $40,000 to the organization and has nine employees who volunteer as mentors through the program.
“Being part of shaping a student’s life decision is one of the most impactful ways we can participate in our community,” says Katie Alderman, community affairs coordinator for Neal Communities and a mentor in the Take Stock in Children program. “I am consistently proud and impressed of the students that I mentor and can’t wait to see all they accomplish and give back to their communities.”
For more information about Take Stock in Children in Manatee County, visit TakeStockManatee.org. For more information about Neal Communities visit www.NealCommunities.com.
