TIA™ Tampa 2023-2024 Program Details

TIA Tampa Program Criteria:

Please review the criteria and guidelines below to ensure you can meet the requirements.

  • Applicants for Teens In Action™ must be entering grades 9 through 12 and live or attend school in Hillsborough County.
  • Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from adults familiar with their character and commitment to growth (i.e. teacher, pastor, coach, etc.).
  • Applicants must earn at least 36 hours of community service. In addition to weekly community service at their site (Tier 1), teens have optional but encouraged opportunities to provide additional, ongoing service to the community, and to support one-time events needing volunteers (Tier 2). These events provide ample opportunities for teens to earn community service hours while applying the skills of emotional intelligence for the benefit of our community.
  • Applicants must participate in a Teens In Action™ led capstone service project.
  • Applicants must have transportation to and from monthly EQ workshops, bi- monthly planning sessions (leadership), and volunteer service sites if attending in-person.
  • In reviewing applications, the selection committee looks for potential participants who demonstrate:
    • A desire to develop emotional intelligence concepts and skills.
    • A strong commitment to community service and learning about the projects they will support.
    • The ability to make the time commitment required by the program.
  • Upon final consideration, applicants will be contacted for an interview that will be conducted virtually or in-person if preferred.
TIA Tampa Attendance Criteria:

Please review the required events.

  • TIA Tampa Participant and Parent Orientation – Monday, August 21st
  • Opening EQ Retreat – Saturday, September 9th
  • Monthly EQ Workshops – Tuesday, September 26th, Tuesday, October 24th, Tuesday, November 28th, Tuesday, December 19th, Tuesday, January 23rd, Tuesday, February 20th, Tuesday, March 26th, Tuesday, April 23rd
  • Bi- monthly TIA Tampa Capstone Service Project Planning Meetings (Mandatory for Team Lead and TIA Leadership Council) – Tuesday, October 10th, Tuesday, December 5th, Tuesday, February 6th, Tuesday, April 2nd
  • End of Year Celebration – TIA Tampa Service Site Group Presentations – Tuesday, May 14th

Failure to attend events outlined below, and/or commitment to a minimum of 36 hours required for community service may result in dismissal from the program.

Selected Teens In Action™ Tampa participants are expected to:
  • Fully and actively participate in all aspects of the Teens In Action™ program from 8/21/2023 – 5/14/2024.
  • Demonstrate respect for staff, leaders, program guests, and fellow program members.
  • Pay a $350 or $250 (if selected to be a Team Lead) program fee by July 28, 2023Limited need-based scholarships are available. See application for additional details.
TIA Tampa Participant and Parent Orientation

DATES: Monday, August 21st – at a local Tampa Bay location

Opening EQ Retreat

DATES: Saturday, September 9th – Full day at a local Tampa Bay location

Bi-Monthly EQ Workshops – at a local community center in Tampa

DATES: Fourth Tuesday of the month, 4:30-6:00 p.m. 

Mandatory for all TIA participants

  • Tuesday, September 26th
  • Tuesday, October 24th
  • Tuesday, November 28th
  • Tuesday, December 19th
  • Tuesday, January 23rd
  • Tuesday, February 20th
  • Tuesday, March 26th
  • Tuesday, April 23rd
Bi-Monthly TIA Tampa Capstone Service Project Planning Meetings - at a local community center in Tampa

DATES: Tuesday, 4:30-6:00 p.m. 

Mandatory for Team Lead and TIA Leadership Council

  • Meeting 1 – Tuesday, October 10th
  • Meeting 2 – Tuesday, December 5th
  • Meeting 3 – Tuesday, February 6th
  • Meeting 4 – Tuesday, April 2nd
End of Year Celebration - TIA Tampa Service Site Group Presentations

DATE: Tuesday, May 14th 4-6p.m. – Mandatory for all participants