The Immokalee Foundation’s Family Society Redefines Family Support

“Reading is the first step to succeed in life.”~Abigail

NOEMI Y. PEREZ, President & CEO, The Immokalee Foundation

I cannot recall a time when being a twin didn’t receive a lot of attention. There are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and the Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott. I suspect that many in Southwest Florida hear “twins” and think of Wrigley’s iconic gum duo, the Doublemint Twins.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to a pair of twin sisters near and dear to my heart. They may not be on television (yet), but The Immokalee Foundation’s Abigail and Emili are on a path to making their mark on the world.

High school juniors, the sisters participate in The Immokalee Foundation’s Education & Human Services Pathway, an afterschool curriculum designed to provide educational support and professional development to would-be teachers, social workers, civil service and law enforcement professionals, politicians, government officials and more.

Though the pair shares a Career Pathway, they have individual career goals. Abigail plans to become a criminal justice lawyer, and Emili is already laying the foundation for her desired career in education—two professions enabling the sisters to pay it forward and help others.

Another common denominator is that both sisters work as tutors in our Immokalee Reader’s Literacy Program.

“This experience has provided us with leadership, communication, time management, and organizational skills—and we get to see the elementary school students grow in ways they didn’t know possible,” said Abigail. “Reading is the first step to succeed in life.”

For over 31 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary education.

The Immokalee Foundation has helped both of us by providing the tools necessary to discover our purpose in life. They are a very special part of our familia—one we know we can always count on. Emili

Immokalee Foundation students and twin sisters Emili and Abigail.

This also means that many of our students rely on us for significant portion of their childhood. For example, Abigail and Emili were accepted into The Immokalee Foundation in sixth grade. They are currently high school juniors and, after graduation, will join our Postsecondary program. As our students receive Foundation support until they walk in the door at their first professional job, it’s common for a student to be with us for ten years or more!

The Immokalee Foundation has—and will continue to—provide the twins with mentors, access to field trips, networking events, internships, and more. However, our impact goes beyond Abigail and Emili. Enhanced career options will increase income levels and impact the entire family’s financial health for generations.

No wonder we often refer to everyone associated with The Immokalee Foundation as “family” or “familia.” A tenure of this scale bonds us all together.

In Immokalee, a strong family atmosphere is interwoven throughout the community. By participating in our new “Family Society,” community members can make their own generational impact on the families of the children we support.

The Family Society is an alternative to annual giving that allows Donors to contribute a predetermined, budget-friendly monthly amount.

“Although many believe that family is defined by blood, to us, family are people who love, support and help each other unconditionally no matter who you are,” said Emili. “TheImmokalee Foundation has helped both of us by providing the tools necessary to discover our purpose in life. They are a very special part of our familia—one we know we can always count on.”

About The Immokalee Foundation

For more than 30 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten to postsecondary education. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, signature events, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the Foundation in your estate plans, please call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org.