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Community comes togetherLONDONBAYHOMESSHOWSSUPPORTFORGUADALUPECENTER
I ndividuals and businesses in Southwest Florida to support Guadalupe Center
are changing the lives of children in Immokalee. ISRAEL CUEVAS AT GUADALUPE CENTER
Through continued support of the Guadalupe and its annual signature event on January 13
Center, their philanthropy prepares 1,100
children – from infants to high school seniors – for dream of a college education.
educational success and a better future. Barbara Oppenheim, president of
Because of the center’s three core programs,funded Guadalupe Center, attributes student success
mostly by contributions and money raised during its to the dedicated staff of teachers, volunteers
annual signature event, children of this impoverished and the generous heart of the Southwest
farm community are becoming doctors, teachers, Florida community, which gave a record-
engineers and even rocket scientists. They are the setting $1.3 million during the 2015 signature
future of Immokalee – students like Israel Vega who fundraising event.
is attending the college of his dreams; his older sister
Mariela now applying to medical school; and younger “It’s only because of the community’s
brother Lonnie, a junior at Immokalee High School, support we are able to truly change children’s
already mapping out his college career. lives,” she said. “Whether it’s a volunteer
who is generously giving of their time to mentor a Tutor Corps student for college,
If not for the Tutor Corps program at Guadalupe a community rallying financial support from their neighbors or a local business
Center, the Vega siblings would have never considered sponsoring our events, we are fortunate to have so many people who are passionate
post-secondary education a possibility. about what we do.”
“People wouldn’t expect an immigrant family “Aqua,” the 2016 Guadalupe Center signature event, will take place Jan. 13 at
like us to go to college,” said Israel, a sophomore at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. The event features live music, a gourmet
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “Being in dinner, live auction, and the opportunity to make on-the-spot donations for college
Tutor Corps has changed my life.” scholarships. It begins with a cocktail reception and a meet-and-greet with students
enrolled in Tutor Corps, a comprehensive college-preparatory program that provides
With a mission of breaking the cycle of poverty academically capable but financially needy students with the guidance and support
through education, the Guadalupe Center provides to achieve a college education.
early childhood education, after-school tutoring and
high school Tutor Corps programs. It has prepared its The Tutor Corps program boasts a 100 percent high school graduation rate and
youngest children for kindergarten, improved math college acceptance for nine consecutive years, said Oppenheim. Ninety percent of its
and reading skills for elementary school children and students have earned college degrees – well above the 59 percent average reported by
helped more than 200 high school students realize the the U.S. Department of Education.
94 Life in Naples | January 2016
