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Ericka Peralta Ruiz remembers what it felt like to have people believe in her while she was still discovering who she wanted to become.
As a student in the Take Stock in Children program, she gained more than scholarship support. She found mentors, encouragement, and a community that gave her the confidence to dream bigger and pursue opportunities she never imagined possible.
That foundation changed the course of her life.
Today, Ericka is a proud wife and a mother to an amazing little boy. She earned her associate degree and is now completing her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, continuing to invest in a future built on perseverance and purpose.
Looking back, Ericka credits Take Stock in Children with helping shape the person she has become.
“The program gave me confidence, opportunities, and people who believed in me when I was still figuring out who I wanted to become,” she said. “Because of that, I built a life I never thought was possible.”
For Ericka, one of the most meaningful parts of the program did not end at graduation.
Many of the students she met through Take Stock in Children remain some of her closest friends today. What began as a program focused on education grew into a lifelong network of encouragement, friendship, and support that continues to enrich her life years later.
Ericka hopes to one day give back by inspiring future students the same way her mentors and the Take Stock in Children team inspired her.
At Heart of Florida United Way, we believe Education is more than a pathway — it is the power to choose your own future. We replace obstacles with access. We transform doubt into confidence. Because when individuals and families gain the skills, credentials, and belief in themselves to stand on their own, they don’t just improve their circumstances — they redefine what’s possible.
Education is also a vital lifeline for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families — hardworking individuals who are doing everything right but still struggle to make ends meet. HFUW focuses on these households because empowering students and adult learners is key to breaking cycles of financial instability and strengthening our entire community.
Over the past year (2024–2025), our investments positively impacted 68,662 children, youth, students, and their guardians as we worked to increase educational attainment, high school graduation rates, and post-secondary achievement.
By connecting ALICE families and students to critical educational resources and opportunities, we help turn hard work into long-term personal and community success.
Take Stock in Children doesn’t ask if college is possible, it makes it a reality. By combining mentorship, long-term support, and a guaranteed scholarship for post-secondary education, the program gives students what they don’t get elsewhere: clarity, confidence, and a clear path to success.
Light the way for neighbors like Ericka.
Your support helps empower individuals to rise to their fullest potential, build resilient futures, and create a stronger Central Florida for everyone.
Donate today to help build a strong foundation for resilience and dignity across Central Florida.