by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Mike Weinstein answers his own phone and opens the doors to his secure offices in the Bank of America Building. Sounds almost pedestrian considering Weinstein is president of Take Stock in Children, a statewide mentoring program that’s one-of-its-kind in the country. But, he’s one of two in the office, and often he may be the only one to answer the phone or open the door.
As president of Take Stock in Children, Weinstein runs a 67-county organization that places at-risk kids into a six-year mentoring program that requires an application for acceptance, has strict rules and is designed to increase the high school graduation rate across Florida. The reward, though, is worth it: a college tuition scholarship to either an academic or vocational school.
The organization is based in Fort Lauderdale where there are 10 people who work for Weinstein with another 250 that run the programs in the state’s 67 counties. In Jacksonville, however, it’s just Weinstein and marketing specialist Kelly Mattox.
Weinstein said his job is to “help tens of thousands of children stay in school. My job is to keep the kids in school, help them graduate and help them get into college.”
Weinstein — a mentor himself along with his wife, Sara — will mark five years on the job in August. By then, he may have a good idea about his future. Weinstein is running for a seat in the State Legislature and is looking to represent Dist. 19, which is currently represented by State Rep. Dick Kravitz, who cannot run again due to term limits.
So far, Weinstein has raised over $200,000 and hasn’t drawn an opponent. If he wins, Weinstein, who’s an attorney by trade, said he’ll slowly move to being a full-time lawmaker.
“I will transition out over the next couple of years,” he said. “The Legislature will become a larger and larger part of my responsibilities. As you get closer to leadership positions in the Legislature, it takes more of your time.”
Looking around Weinstein’s office — and knowing him professionally — it isn’t hard to realize the resume is on the walls. There is a photo while he was at the State Attorney’s Office as well as framed law enforcement badges. There are several photos and other collectibles from his days helping Jacksonville land an NFL team, the Super Bowl and his time running the Super Bowl Host Committee. There are family pictures and images and messages that provide inspiration.
While the past is on the wall, the immediate future is on Weinstein’s desk and table. A huge notebook documents press clippings about Take Stock in Children just from 2006. And, the 2006 “Accountability Report” is a slick recap of the year. It’s filled with positive numbers that show the program keeps heading in the right direction.
The kids who enter the program are at-risk and from some of the poorest neighborhoods in the state. A vast majority — even as 6th-graders — are teetering on the edge of no return. The kids are referred to Take Stock in Children and sign a multi-year contract to stay drug free, crime free, make good grades and meet with their mentor.
“Staying in school changes a child’s vision of what there is to do in life,’ said Weinstein. “It gives them hope and changes their attitude. None of them would be successful without a mentor.”