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STUDENT’S MOTIVATION

LEADS TO THE OPPORTUNITY

OF A LIFETIME

by Steven Kissinger KENT SHOEMAKER, JESUS ABARCA AND JOSEPH ZEDNIK

J esus Abarca, who was accepted into The Immokalee TIF mentor, Abarca has had an official mentor in Joe Zednik,
Foundation’s Take Stock in Children program in middle chairman of the TIF board of directors. To Abarca, Zednik is “Papa
school,is now 25 years old,and his list of accomplishments Joe,” and the affection is mutual.
– and the way he has earned respect and admiration of adults –
would do a man twice his age proud. “Jesus is a wonderful young man,” Zednik said. “I am honored to
know him. He is hard-working, dedicated to his family, his community
Lipman Produce CEO Kent Shoemaker remembers and certainly his work. He’s just in every way a remarkable young man.
attending an event about five years ago during which students He’s certainly had his adversities in life, and he has fought straight
from The Immokalee Foundation – including Abarca – spoke through them. He’s outgoing, does a great job of communicating, and
about their TIF experiences. While the students all were if there’s anything I could do for him I would do it. It’s a privilege to
impressive, Shoemaker saw something hard to define and know Jesus and to be a part of his life.”
extraordinary about the young man that led him to believe
Abarca would fit into his company someday. He found Abarca Take Stock in Children is a scholarship and mentoring program
right after the program, gave him a business card and invited that provides students with the promise of a two or four year
him to stop by sometime. scholarship to a Florida state college, university or vocational school
upon graduation. Students must maintain good grades, stay drug and
Three days later, Abarca was in Shoemaker’s office. crime free, attend required workshops and events, meet weekly with
Shoemaker said he did what he always does with young people: their TIF mentor, and volunteer in the community.
He gave Abarca a book to read, something about business
or economics, and told him to read it and call Shoemaker to The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education
talk about it when he finished. “And he called me the next programs that focus on building pathways to success through
day,” Shoemaker said, clearly still surprised. “He immediately college and post-secondary preparation and support, mentoring and
grasped the concepts, and we offered him a summer internship tutoring, opportunities for broadening experiences, and life skills
as a management trainee. And he did a phenomenal job.” development leading to economic independence. To learn more
about TIF, volunteering as a mentor or for additional information,
Abarca wasn’t done surprising his boss. The next summer, call 239.430.9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.
Shoemaker offered him another internship during his summer
break from college, but Abarca declined because of a school Steven Kissinger, executive director of The Immokalee Foundation, can
commitment that eventually fell through. Abarca called to see be reached at steven.kissinger@immokaleefoundation.com.
if Shoemaker’s offer was still good; unfortunately, the position
had been filled, so Shoemaker offered Abarca the only job he
had. “Jesus spent the summer in a grape tomato-packing facility,
punching a clock – he gave himself a pay cut,” Shoemaker
said. But Abarca did a great job, and his perseverance led to a
management track at Lipman.

Abarca, now armed with a degree from Florida State
University, currently manages a staff of about 40 people in a
quality control position where vegetables are packed in the
company’s Arizona location.

Abarca’s parents work in the fields of Immokalee and wanted
a better life for their son. Abarca said that when his father was
not pleased with his grades, he would take young Jesus along
for a day of labor to motivate him to do better – and it worked.

That much is clear. Along with Shoemaker as an unofficial

82 Life in Naples | March 2016