In addition to providing jobs and employment training, Goodwill of North Florida supports individuals who are ready to take the next step on the economic ladder by earning a college degree and/or certification. We support postsecondary education opportunities through programs designed for high school graduates as well as their parents and others who are motivated to seek and obtain higher-paying jobs.
The A-STEP program aims to provide working adults in North Florida access to higher education in order to elevate earning potentials and job security. The key to the A-STEP program is the implementation of a successful blend of aptitude and career assessments, one-on-one support with the college enrollment and entrance exams, intensive case management, personalized financial aid advisement, ongoing academic support, and gap funding to put adults on the path to success and long-term sustainability.
A-STEP Eligibility Requirements:
Live at or below national poverty guidelines
24 years and above (under 24 will be considered on an individual basis)
High School diploma or GED
US citizen/legal resident
Florida resident of 12 months
Must be able to commit to the duration of the educational program once enrolled
No Student Loan or Child Support payments in default
Must not have a previous certification or degree
Take Stock in Children (TSIC) was established in 1995 as a nonprofit organization that provides a unique opportunity for low income students to break the cycle of poverty through successful education. We offer our students college scholarships, volunteer mentors, in-school support and hope for a better life. Our comprehensive services start in middle school, continue through high school and include the students’ transition into college. In 2014 Goodwill became the lead agency for the Take Stock in Children program in Duval County. Goodwill’s support of the program is an investment in the city’s future. To learn more about the program and how to enroll a student or become a mentor please visit.
McKenzie’s Academic Resource Center (MARC) was created to provide free academic programs to students in Jacksonville communities to help them recognize their full potential. In September 2011, the first MARC opened its doors in the Portside Mobile Home Community. Just one year later, we opened the second MARC in the Countryside Village Mobile Home Community. Today, MARC centers serve more than 300 at-risk youth. The MARC offers academic tutoring, mentoring, and developmental programs to students of all ages. MARC programs are mission focused, data driven, and people centered!
MISSION: To help young people recognize their full potential through academic excellence and to increase the promotion rate among students at all grade levels.
VISION: The MARC exists to build a bridge between the classroom and the community by connecting teachers, tutors, mentors, and volunteers to our students.
