[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17764]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM 
                              FOR STUDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding 
program for young adults in Central Florida and throughout the state. 
The Professional Opportunities Program for Students, Inc. (POPS) is a 
nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization founded by Florida State Senator Gary 
Siplin in February, 2001.
  Senator Siplin had a dream to provide summer job opportunities to 
high school students in his community and he began that dream with five 
students. As the need for jobs increased, the graduation rate of 
students in the community began decreasing. Senator Siplin realized he 
needed to do more for these young people.
  In 2008, POPS received a grant from the Department of Education to 
provide a year-round program that included mentorship, life skills 
workshops, community service, and paid internships to 200 students in 
Orlando, Florida. By 2010, POPS had grown to serve over 400 students 
and six additional cities: Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Pahokee/Belle 
Glade, St. Petersburg, Bartow/Lake Wales, and Ft. Lauderdale.
  The mission of POPS is to provide personal and professional 
development for teenagers who face social, economic or environmental 
barriers that may impact the quality of their lives. POPS' work is 
rooted in collaboration among students, parents, schools, and community 
and business leaders.
  The primary goal of the POPS program is to motivate diverse at-risk 
students to complete their high school education and prepare them for 
future success. POPS strives to reduce some of the at-risk factors 
through mentoring, counseling, character education, money management, 
and workforce development training. To achieve these goals, POPS 
focuses on assisting students in the completion of high school, 
motivating them to pursue an advanced education and obtain gainful 
employment.
  The POPS program helps monitor demonstrable gains in academic 
achievement as well as increased attendance and graduation rates. POPS 
staff and mentors work to help achieve reduction in disciplinary 
actions and dropout rates and to increase engagement of students in 
education, cultural, and career experiences.
  Through mentor relationships, improved parental involvement, and on-
the-job-training and career exploration, the POPS program helps prepare 
students for college and entry into the workforce.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to recognize Florida State Senator Gary 
Siplin and the POPS program for their invaluable contributions to 
Florida's youth.

                          ____________________