Youth Programs / Youth Leaders

Mentoring
Literacy - Prevention - Leadership

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." - Fredrick Douglass

 

Mission Statement

To provide programs, education, awareness and opportunities that empower children, youth and adults to improve health, wellness and skills for success in school and in life.

Our Vision

A community where youth feel loved, respected and appreciated so they refrain from drugs, alcohol and violence and ultimately lead a healthy lifestyle.




Board of Directors

President
Tara Whitehead
Treasurer
Andrea Spottswood
Directors
Sean Brandenburg
Bonnie Helms
Floyd Jenkins
Elena Spottswood




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Interested in Keys To Be The Change Programs?

Contact
Executive Director
Heidi Golightly
541-974-4398

heidirgolightly@gmail.com

Assistant Director
Jody Smith
(305) 304-2064

kwjody@yahoo.com

Contact us if you would like to volunteer.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES

(www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com)

BY CALLING TOLL-FREE
1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)
WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.




Got here from KeysSchools.com


Dear Friends:

 
Thanks for visiting Keys to Be the Change, Inc. We are thrilled to have you wander around our website and take a peek at what we are doing in the community. As you may know, we are a grass roots, 501(c)3, non-profit corporation. We create programs that empower children, youth and adults to thrive in school and in life by building self-confidence and self-esteem. Currently we are involved in over 300 students lives on a weekly basis here in the Florida Keys. Our Kids Win: Pathways to Success Mentoring Program and our MORE Reading Literacy Program  are working to make our schools and communities  safer and more productive for everyone!

We could not do any ot this without the support of the Monroe County School District, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, the City of Key West, the Key West Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS), Monroe County Fire Rescue, Strunk Ace Hardware and the many other community donors, businesses and volunteers who support us every day of the year. We thank you! We are all examples of being the change we wish to see in the world. Remember- "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" and women.

We are reaching out for donations from our friends and neighbors to help sustain all of our programs for next year. Please feel free to send a check to: Keys to Be the Change, Inc.- 1208 Watson Street, Key West, FL  33040. 


THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN FOR SUPPORTING
KEYS TO BE THE CHANGE.

THIS IS OUR FUTURE.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE AND WE ARE A GREAT ONE!






Very gratefully yours,

Heidi R. Golightly
Executive Director
Keys to Be the Change, Inc.
541-974-4398
heidirgolightly@gmail.com
www.keystobethechange.org


OUR PROGRAMS

MORE LITERACY PROGRAM

Mentors Optimizing Reading Excellence

Keys to Be the Change partners with the Monroe County School District providing a Literacy Coach as well as reading mentors on a daily basis to help improve literacy skills among both reluctant readers and newly arrived immigrants.

  
 
 

   

KIDS WIN: PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS MENTORING PROGRAM (KW:PTS)

Keys to Be the Change partners with the Key West Police Department, JIATFS (Joint Interagency Task Force South), the Monroe County School District,  the City of Key West, and many community members,to mentor high-risk youth in elementary, middle and high school. This program has an 80% success rate in reducing truancy and/or increasing grades. Our goal is to build self-confidence and self-esteem in children while providing positive role models in their lives. 
 
 
 

   

Photo Gallery Archive



IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO HELP OUR KIDS....THANK YOU MONROE COUNTY FOR BEING AN AMAZING VILLAGE!

 
 
TESTIMONIALS


 
“We are pleased to partner with this organization to improve literacy rates and encourage our students to read, providing opportunities that empower them and provide skills for success.”
Christina McPherson
Monroe County School District Director of Teaching and Learning
 
“These programs were enrichment to our school and the students benefited from them greatly. We would like to continue these programs with Keys to Be the Change and hope to expand the partnership.”
Dr. Larry Schmiegel
KWHS Principal

 
“The MORE Literacy Program is a huge piece of our successful school. We view them as a strong reason we continue to grow.”
Rob Taylor
Monroe County School District Literacy and Student Support Coordinator

 
“We encounter many hardships and challenges in life but when we come together we can make things better not only for ourselves but for others.”
Youth Leader
 
“Keys to Be the Change has connected me to other people. I feel motivated and encouraged to be a helpful part of my community.”
Youth Leader
 
“Thanks to you, you always did your best to make sure i was getting what i needed. From grades to life outside of school so thank you."
Student
Kids Win Program

 
“Thank you so much, you never gave up on me even though i always gave you a reason too. You kept me going even when i would quit.”
Student
Kids Win Program

 
“Thank you for always "thinking outside the box” during a year filled with much duress and challenges.  You never seem to let strife…such as a pandemic/Covid 19, stop you from allowing our students to learn and become leaders in our community.  Thank you for growing this nonprofit to be such an outstanding giving part of our community.”
Debbi Jackson
President, Keys Open Doors Foundation
 
“This organization does more than so many others with so much less money.  I am proud to be a part of Keys to Be the Change.”
Andrea Spottswood 
Treasurer Keys to Be the Change, Inc.

 
“What a fantastic, inspiring and joyful update! Thanks so much for sharing, Heidi! I hope and you and KTBTC keep up the great work!!”
Bobby Highsmith
School Board Member

 
 

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