Page 52 - LIN DEC WEB

The Immokalee Foundation:

Adulting 101

by Noemi Y. Perez

orm life. Financial concerns. Time management. The December workshops
Postsecondary students face a number of obstacles serve as a refresher and an
Don their road to higher learning. All too often, these opportunity to reconnect with
challenges can derail even the most promising college or technical students. Topics for the session
school plans. The numbers speak volumes: In Florida, only 40% of are determined by surveys following the summer
students in the state college system will graduate. By contrast, 92% boot camp. Students are also encouraged to
of students receiving postsecondary scholarships and support from share their questions anonymously.
The Immokalee Foundation will earn a college degree or complete “I joined The Immokalee Foundation
technical school. Advance preparation, communication, ongoing because I wanted to benefit from their
support and access to resources make the difference. scholarship and mentoring program,”
“We follow our students through their college journey,” said Natalia Garcia Lopez, alumna of The
said Paulina Magaña, postsecondary services manager at The Immokalee Foundation. “My mentors have
Immokalee Foundation. “Our students are scattered throughout encouraged me and guided me throughout
Florida, the nation and a couple are currently studying abroad. high school and are continuing to do so now
They know we expect to hear from them; they are required to that I am in college. From the postsecondary
communicate with us. We want to make sure they’re doing well in program, I have learned how to be financially
Natalia
their classes and applying themselves to any work-based learning responsible while at Florida Gulf Coast Garcia Lopez
experience.” University. My parents can’t contribute to my
Postsecondary preparation begins just weeks after high school college expenses, but luckily The Immokalee Foundation provided
graduation. Students attend a mandatory four-day boot camp in me with the tools I need to be able to apply for scholarships and
the summer before their Freshman year and a two-day follow-up stay motivated to earn my nursing degree.”
workshop in December during winter break. Upperclassmen can The Immokalee Foundation, celebrating its 30th anniversary,
also attend. empowers children and young adults to change their lives through
The intense programs cover situations students are likely to education and job opportunities. The foundation provides a
encounter as they take ownership of their time, class attendance range of education programs that focus on building pathways to
and, in some cases, living away from home for the first time. professional careers through support, mentoring and tutoring, and
No topic is off limits. Sex education, mental health, equity on life skills development leading to economic independence. To learn
campus, declaring a major, relationships, financial literacy, stress more about The Immokalee Foundation, volunteering as a career
management and staying motivated are presented by local experts. panel speaker or host, becoming a mentor, making a donation,
“It’s so important to prepare students for adulthood and the including the foundation in your estate plans, or for additional
topics they’ll be exposed to as part of college life,” said Magaña, information, call 239.430.9122 or visit ImmokaleeFoundation.org.
“The workshops help students understand how what they do and
the choices they make will impact this next chapter of their lives.
We want our students to have the resources and confidence they Noemi Y. Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation, can
need to succeed.” be reached at noemi.perez@immokaleefoundation.org.

Left: The Immokalee Foundation
students attend a mandatory
four-day boot camp in the
summer before their
Freshman year and a two-
day follow-up workshop in
December during winter
break for postsecondary
preparation.

Above: The intense postsecondary programs cover situations students
are likely to encounter as they take ownership of their time, class
attendance and, in some cases, living away from home for the first time.

52 Life in Naples | December 2021