Ho Summer in Immokalee Impacts Southwest Florida

by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO

While many young people in Southwest Florida spend the summer traveling, relaxing, and/or recharging, Immokalee Foundation students opt for a different path. These enthusiastic young people continue their journey toward success through dynamic, engaging learning experiences that are not just fun, but meaningful for all of Southwest Florida.

To begin, one summer highlight is the Foundation’s robust internship program, which offers paid workplace experience for eleventh- and twelfth-grade Foundation-supported students.

In addition, there are unique educational summer camps at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Immokalee Technical College (iTECH) for middle and high school students. There’s even a special “Boot Camp” for the Foundation’s new high school graduates, preparing them for their transition to college.

An Immokalee Foundation summer intern onsite at Physicians Regional Healthcare System.

The Immokalee Foundation proudly offers a full continuum of support—starting with early literacy intervention in elementary school and extending through career exploration, immersive learning experiences, and postsecondary education, ultimately leading to long term career success.

With over 18,000 program participants since 1991, the Foundation has an impressive track record of contributing to the local professional labor force. No matter where you go in Southwest Florida over the summer, there’s a good chance you’ll interact with an Immokalee Foundation alum or student.

Fifty-eight Immokalee Foundation high school students will participate in paid internships to learn from industry experts in their chosen Career Pathway at 26 locations throughout the region.

Leading the way is Physicians Regional Healthcare System, which will host 13 Foundation interns. Other hosts include Arthrex, Barron Collier Companies, Collier County Sheriff ’s Office, Healthcare Network, Diamond Construction, FC Naples, First Bank, JR Evans Engineering, and the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center.

Next, there’s The Immokalee Foundation’s forward-facing spin on the concept of summer camps. Hosted in partnership with FGCU, the Foundation’s five educational camps provide transformative, career focused experiences for middle and high school students.

These multi-week programs immerse students in hands-on learning designed to build academic skills, confidence, and real-world awareness of future careers.

Aligned with the Foundation’s four Career Pathways—Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management, and Healthcare—each camp offers highly customized instruction led by university faculty, featuring industry professionals.

Students participate in interactive workshops, collaborative projects, and field trips that bring their chosen fields to life.

Focus areas include STEM exploration, business development, and career simulations. Activities include everything from building engineering projects to analyzing crime scenes to studying wildlife, and even pitching business ideas in “Shark Tank”-style presentations.

Offered at no cost to students thanks to donor support, the camps remove financial barriers while providing transportation, meals, and enrichment experiences. Ultimately, these summer programs empower Immokalee students to explore their passions, gain practical skills, and take significant steps toward successful futures.

Finally, there’s The Immokalee Foundation’s Summer Boot Camp for rising first-year college students—an intensive, pre-college experience designed to ease the transition from high school to higher education. The High School Class of ’26 will build essential skills intime management, financial literacy, and academic readiness while gaining the confidence to navigate campus life.

Boot Camp fosters independence and resilience, ensuring students feel prepared, supported, and empowered as they begin their college journey.

The Immokalee Foundation’s summer activities create a powerful ripple effect that extends far beyond the students served. Ultimately, these powerful programs do more than change individual lives—they fuel the local workforce and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable Southwest Florida community.

About The Immokalee Foundation

For 34 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and workforce development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary education.

To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, host an intern, take a tour, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the Foundation in your will, please call 239-430-9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org