Going After a New Generation with Vision Bank

Five years ago Charles Givens started the Jump Start Breakfast Program at his convenience store, the Korner Stop-N-Go.  From 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. every school day morning, students may still get a free hot breakfast. 

One year ago Givens organized a group of children ranging in age from 8-18.  The group started out serving their community by picking up debris off the street every Saturday morning.  For these efforts the members of the group have been recognized by the Port St. Joe Mayor and the City Commission.

Currently the group, now called the G.A.N.G., Going After a New Generation, in addition to the debris pick-up in their community, they expanded their efforts to include WindMark and St. Joe Beach in relation to the BP oil spill.  Givens has had many community leaders come, meet and share with the G.A.N.G.  The G.A.N.G. has been on many field trips and continues to do community service in North Port St. Joe adding to their services care of the North Port St. Joe Community Garden.

 Recently, to reward the members of the G.A.N.G. and encourage their continuation in community service Givens, in partnership with People Helping People of Gulf County and Vision Bank, made contributions allowing 15 members of the G.A. N.G. to each have savings accounts. The G.A.N.G. will go on to get a financial education geared specifically toward youth where they will learn how to save and make their accounts grow until they can access the accounts at the age of 18.