Second Road to Success youth receives car from community vehicle scholarship program

September 25, 2019

Palm City -

Communities Connected for Kids presented the latest award in a community Vehicle Scholarship Program during an informal key ceremony Sept. 18.

Taina, 18, and a senior at Sebastian River High School, was the second young person in the CCKids' Road to Success program to be awarded a car for her perseverance, hard work and dedication to her own future.

Project LIFT (Life Initiatives For Teens) donated the 2007 Subaru Outback to the program, which awards reliable cars to young people transitioning out of the local foster-care system.

Taina's host parent, licensing specialist and mentors were there to watch her take the keys to her "new-to-her" vehicle.

"I'm really excited to be one of the first in this program," said Taina, a student-council member at her school who volunteers in the Exceptional Student Education program and sees a future for herself in social work.

"I keep thinking someone else is going to feel the same way I do right now, and that means a lot," she said. "Having my own transportation will be easier on me, and easier on my family."

Vero Beach resident and aspiring Registered Nurse Alejandro Munoz became the first recipient in the program in January, when Infiniti of Stuart donated to him a 2013 Nissan Altima.
The idea for the Vehicle Scholarship Program grew from discussions last year among members of a multi-agency task force that addresses and responds to key risk factors among children.

Pictured are Taina, right, and her foster caregiver, Kate Crain. Crain is a host parent in the Extended Foster Care program, which allows young people to stay in foster care after turning 18. If you are interested in being a host parent, please call (772) 873-7800 for more information.