Page 68 - December_2015_Life_in_Naples_Magazine

Guadalupe Center’s
signature fundraiser
focused on breaking the cycle of poverty in Immokalee
I mmokalee is a snapshot of poverty in modern-day America.
Nearly 40 percent of its population lives below the federal education programs for children in Immokalee by lending their leadership
poverty line and 97 percent of all school-age children are
considered economically needy.
Since 1982, the Guadalupe Center has invested in the
children of Immokalee with a mission of breaking the cycle of
poverty through education.Today, the organization serves more
than 1,100 students, from six weeks old through high school in
three core educational programs.
• Early Childhood Education Program (ECE) prepares 270
preschoolers for early success in school.
• Guadalupe After-School Program (GAP) currently provides
tutoring and enrichment for 650 elementary students.
• Tutor Corps Program serves more than 200 high school and
college students.
The programs are proven to break the cycle of poverty
and provide the children of Immokalee with the hope of a
prosperous and productive life. Many of the students are the
first in their families to speak English proficiently, graduate
from high school and attend college.
“We’ve watched many of these students grow as they
progress through our early education center and after-school
programs,” said Barbara Oppenheim, president of Guadalupe
Center. “The center has invested as much as 18 years in these
students, walking right alongside them during their high school
years as part of the Guadalupe Center’s Tutor Corps program.
This comprehensive college-prep program prepares them for a
future they once thought impossible – college.”
For the past nine years, 100 percent of all Tutor Corps
graduates have been accepted to colleges and universities
throughout the country, and more than 90 percent have
graduated from college, in excess of national averages.
These life-changing programs would not be possible
without the dedicated support of mentors, community leaders
and donors who are advocates for academic success.
Three longtime Guadalupe Center supporters - Linda
68
Yost, Sue Sherwin and Mary McCabe - are taking the lead in expanding
as chairs of the organization’s signature fundraiser, “aqua.”
Scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf
Resort in Naples, the event directly benefits the Early Childhood Education
Program, Guadalupe After-school Program and Tutor Corps Program.
aqua will offer a night of live musical entertainment, a gourmet dinner,
a live auction, and the opportunity to make on-the-spot donations for
college scholarships.The event begins with a cocktail reception and a meet-
and-greet with high school students enrolled in Tutor Corps. Currently
123 Tutor Corps students are enrolled in colleges and universities across
the country.
A member of Guadalupe Center’s board of trustees and longtime
philanthropist, Yost will serve for the second consecutive year as a chair
of the organization’s signature fundraising event, overseeing planning
and fundraising.
With more
than 25 years
supporting
nonprofits in
Cleveland, Ohio
and Southwest
Florida, Sherwin
will serve as
logistics chair for
aqua, overseeing
event venue and
menus.
McCabe is
also returning for
a second year as
décor chair. She was the driving force responsible for last year’s dynamic
backdrop elements at Guadalupe Center’s signature event “Fire & Ice:
Igniting the Flame of Learning.”
“We are honored to have three talented women leading the efforts for this
year’s event,” said Oppenheim. “With their guidance and the community’s
support, we are hoping to expand educational programs for the children we
serve in Immokalee.”
Businesses, families and individual philanthropists have the opportunity
to support aqua through six levels of sponsorship ranging from $1,000 to
$25,000, which includes tickets and acknowledgement in the official aqua
program. Individual tickets are available for $500. Current sponsors of aqua
include London Bay Homes, Ametek Foundation, Arthrex, City Mattress,
David Mayer Trust, JP Morgan and Luma Capital.
For more information about the Guadalupe Center and its signature
event, visit www.GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239.657.7158.
Life in Naples | December 2015