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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SHARE THEIR SUCCESSES

AT THE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION’S CHARITY CLASSIC CELEBRATION

by Steven Kissinger

J ulio Estrella was a junior at Immokalee
High School when he became involved
with The Immokalee Foundation’s Career
Development program. Through vocational
courses and internships arranged by the
foundation, he had learned a valuable trade and
found work as an electrician by the end of his
senior year.

Estrella’s experience demonstrates only one of
the ways generous supporters at The Immokalee
Foundation’s recent Pro-Am golf tournament and
Charity Classic Celebration gala brighten the
futures of Immokalee students. The events raised
more than $1.75 million for educational programs,
including the foundation’s Career Development
and Post-Secondary Success efforts, which helped
Estrella.

JOYCE HAGEN, DON FITES, DON GUNTHER, MARIE AND DICK STONESIFER,TOM AND CAROL LUND

JULIO ESTRELLA AND OSCAR LUGO Noemi,” said Estrella, referring to Elda Hernandez, program services manager, and
Noemi Perez, director of program services. “While I was volunteering, Miss Elda
As it turned out, 2009 was not a good year for found out what had happened, and she just threw the idea out there that maybe I
electricians in Florida, including Estrella, who could go back to school at iTech in Immokalee,” Estrella said.
found himself without a job.
He applied and received a scholarship to iTech, where he learned to operate
Estrella found a position in a convenience store heavy equipment. Today, Estrella works full-time with Vulcan Materials Company.
and made the best of working outside his field; he
was glad to have a job. In his spare time, Estrella Oscar Lugo also became involved in The Immokalee Foundation’s Career
continued to volunteer with TIF, helping students Development program while still in high school. When he graduated in 2009, Lugo
still in high school in any way he could. He knew received a direct scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
as a student himself how valuable the foundation’s from Florida Gulf Coast University.
programs and scholarships were. However, it
wasn’t until the bump in his career path that Today, he designs sites and plans the placement of pipes and other utility
he learned the importance of networking and equipment for RWA Engineering. “The Immokalee Foundation made all of it
maintaining relationships – including those with possible,” Lugo said. He is the first in his family to go to college; the second to
the TIF staff, board members and volunteers. attend is his younger brother, Gerardo, who is a freshman at FGCU.

“I stayed in touch with Miss Elda and Miss Sponsors of the 2015 Charity Classic Celebration and Pro-Am were Florida
Community Bank, presenting sponsor; Arthrex Inc., partner circle sponsor; Jaguar
Naples, Porsche of Naples and Kelly Tractor, education circle sponsors; Naples
Illustrated, media sponsor; Huntington Bank, success circle sponsor; and Central
Bank, pathways circle sponsor.

The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education programs that focus
on building pathways to success through college and post-secondary preparation
and support, mentoring and tutoring, opportunities for broadening experiences, and
life skills development leading to economic independence.To learn more about TIF,
its signature events, volunteering as a mentor or for additional information, call
239.430.9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.

Steven Kissinger, executive director of The Immokalee Foundation, can be reached at
steven.kissinger@immokaleefoundation.com.

56 Life in Naples | January 2016