The Power of Family

By Noemi Y. Perez
President and CEO
The Immokalee Foundation

Since 1991, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus noneducation, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee — from kindergarten through postsecondary education.

Over 16,000 of Immokalee’s best and brightest have received educational support during this time. However, what’s equally exciting is the benefit to the entire family.

Twins Abigail and Emili were accepted into The Immokalee Foundation in sixth grade and are now active in our Postsecondary Program. As our students receive support until they walk in the door at their first professional job, it’s common for a young person to be with us for 10 years or more.

Abigail is attending Sante Fe College and hopes to become a criminal justice lawyer. Emili is a student at Florida Southwestern State College and laying the groundwork for her desired career in education. The common thread? Both professions will enable the sisters to pay it forward and help others—a common goal found in Immokalee Foundation students.

Our primary challenge: Immokalee’s families suffer intergenerational poverty and very low educational attainment. Immokalee’s per capita income is $17,927, ranking it 477th out of 485 communities in Florida.

The Garcia Family’s five siblings are all Immokalee Foundation alums.

The Immokalee Foundation is in the business of changing this disheartening statistic—in many ways, one family at a time. Although Immokalee is commonly associated with being home to a hardworking community of farm workers, housekeepers, landscapers, drivers, and laborers, many Immokalee Foundation families represent a changing professional landscape.

Today, the five Garcia siblings, Aida, Diego, Eric, Joel and Sandra, run the gamut with careers in the Military, business administration, civil engineering, and veterinary medicine.

“The impact of The Immokalee Foundation on my family is truly transformative,” said Aida. “They opened doors to numerous opportunities for all of us, providing financial assistance, life-long mentors, and crucial guidance in navigating college and even our first part-time jobs. Not many organizations invest in students like us, but The Immokalee Foundation took a chance on our family, and now we’ve all blossomed into successful professionals.”

Generational wealth is a common attribute of life on the Gulf Coast; however, through increased education, career attainment, and elevated income potential, financial independence and career success are finding their way inland to Immokalee.

Four other siblings ultimately represent our four Career Pathways. Ariana is studying exercise physiology at Florida State University (Healthcare), Gerardo is a Golf Pro in Estero (Education & Human Services), Giovanni is pursuing a degree in management at FGCU (Business Management & Entrepreneurship), and Oscaris a project manager at Grady Minor, a full-service engineering firm in Fort Myers (Construction Management & Engineering).

The short- and long-term outlook for all family members—grandparents, parents, and siblings—has received a giant boost through equal access to education and professional development.

“The Immokalee Foundation has had a tremendous impact on my family, and it continues to do so,” observed Giovanni. “They have provided my older brothers mentorship and resources throughout their college journeys, helping them graduate and move into their careers. Now, they’re offering me and my younger sister the same support. We’ve achieved things we once thought were out of reach. As a family, we are forever grateful for the support and opportunities given us. The Immokalee Foundation has become like a second family, guiding us to reach our full potential.”

About The Immokalee Foundation

About The Immokalee Foundation: For over 33 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been providing new pathways to success and financial independence through robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in four specific Career Pathways: Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education& Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management and Healthcare.

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