TIA™ Tampa 2024-2025 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 19th
  • Opening EQ Retreat – Saturday, September 7th
  • Monthly EQ Workshops – Wednesday, September 18th, Wednesday, October 16th, Wednesday, November 20th, Wednesday, December 11th, Wednesday, January 22nd, Wednesday, February 19th, Wednesday, March 12th, Wednesday, April 16th
  • TIA Tampa Capstone Service Project Planning Meetings (Mandatory for Team Leads)– Tuesday, October 8th, Tuesday, November 12th, Tuesday, February 11th, Tuesday, March 25th
  • End of Year Celebration – TIA Tampa Service Site Group Presentations – Wednesday, 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 8/19/2024- 5/14/2025
  • 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 Friday, August 9, 2024Limited need-based scholarships are available. See application for additional details.
TIA Tampa Participant and Parent Orientation

WHEN: Monday, August 19th– at a local Tampa Bay location

Opening EQ Retreat

WHEN: Saturday, September 7th – Full day at a local Tampa Bay location

Monthly EQ Workshops – at a local community center in Tampa

WHEN: Third Wednesday of the month, 4:30-6:00 p.m. 

Mandatory for all TIA participants

  • Wednesday, September 18th
  • Wednesday, October 16th
  • Wednesday, November 20th
  • Wednesday, December 10th
  • Wednesday, January 22nd
  • Wednesday, February 19th
  • Wednesday, March 12th
  • Wednesday, April 16th
TIA Tampa Capstone Service Project Planning Meetings

WHEN: Tuesday, 4:30-6:00 p.m.– at a local community center in Tampa

Mandatory for Team Lead

  • Meeting 1 – Tuesday, October 8th
  • Meeting 2 – Tuesday, November 12th
  • Meeting 3 – Tuesday, February 11th
  • Meeting 4 – Tuesday, March 25th
End of Year Celebration - TIA Tampa Service Site Group Presentations

WHEN: Tuesday, May 13th 4-6 p.m. – Mandatory for all participants