In May 2019, First Lady Casey DeSantis launched her Hope for Healing Florida initiative which included H.O.P.E. (Helping Organizations, Professionals and Educators) Innovators, a statewide community-based team tasked with developing innovative ways to connect Florida students and parents with mental health information and resources. Fort Pierce Central High School was one of the schools that participated during the inaugural year. H.O.P.E. Ambassadors is the newest element of the H.O.P.E. initiative and is a youth peer-to-peer student mentorship program that will recruit student volunteers to work with their peers and help create an environment of kindness and compassion in their schools. Schools selected to participate will organize a club with the mission-based on kindness, compassion, resiliency, and volunteerism, that connects students to volunteer services, both in school and the community.
Bill Tomlinson, Executive Director of Exceptional Student Education and Student Services commented, “We are excited as a district to be part of this initiative. Fort Pierce Central is an outstanding choice to be part of the H.O.P.E. Ambassadors program. The work that is already going on in the school addressing mental health and social and emotional learning is phenomenal. This will enhance the work and continue to enhance the culture and climate of the school.”
As a pilot school, Fort Pierce Central High School is eligible to receive $500 to develop and implement a H.O.P.E. Ambassador Club, with the following criteria:
- Open to any students
- Led by students, advised by faculty
- Meet as often as other school clubs
- Focused on supporting peers
Principal Monarae Miller-Buchanan and teacher Natasha Santoro will take the lead at Fort Pierce Central with organizing the club.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) proudly serves students and boasts a traditional high school graduation rate of 97% percent. As a high-ranking B-rated District, there are no failing schools, and SLPS ranks among the top one-third of Florida’s districts for student achievement. The District also has the distinction of being recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work. The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, or visit http://www.stlucieschools.org.
