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DAWN MONTECALVO, President & CEO / Guadalupe Center

RETURNING THE FAVOR:

ONE TEEN’S VISION

FOR SUCCESS

elena has become quite the art collector. Although her collection THE FIRST
doesn’t feature a Rembrandt, Monet or da Vinci, it does feature Celena’s story is like many students who have enrolled in educational
Ca Juanito. The medium of choice in her collection isn’t oil or programs at Guadalupe Center. The oldest daughter of immigrant
acrylic paints on a linen stretched canvas; it’s crayons, colored pencils parents, Celena is being raised in a household that falls below the
and magic markers on copy paper and construction paper. poverty line. She didn’t have an easy childhood but recognizes her way
Celena, an 18-year-old senior at Immokalee High School, shares out of poverty is through education. This fall, she began the college
a special connection with each of the artists whose work is featured in admissions process, and knows when next August rolls around, she will
her collection. They are original pieces created by students she tutors at become the first member of her family to attend college.
Eden Park Elementary. “I will keep the artwork of all the first-graders Like many students at Guadalupe Center, Celena is using her life
who have shared their art with me, like I have since little Juanito gave experiences to chart her future. As a youth, she recognized a rural
me the first of his many masterpieces,” Celena said. community like Immokalee lacks an appropriate level of health care
Celena participates in Guadalupe Center’s college-preparatory facilities and doctors compared to more affluent, suburban commu-
Tutor Corps Program, which offers guidance in college and career nities. When COVID-19 first started spreading, Immokalee became
readiness, ACT and SAT test prep, mentorships, financial literacy, and ground zero for COVID-19 cases in Southwest Florida, as testing sites,
scholarship assistance. Perhaps the most engaging part of Tutor Corps, vaccination clinics and educational programs were slow to arrive.
however, is a component that brings Celena and her Tutor Corps peers “Growing up in Immokalee, I would see the need for further public
into local elementary school classrooms. There, the teens work one-on- health aid on a daily basis and had even suffered the consequences of
one with students in kindergarten, first and second grade who need limited advocacy for the community’s health during the early time
extra assistance in reading and math. of COVID-19,” Celena said.
An astounding 100% of Tutor Corps students pursue a college
degree, and many return to Immokalee to serve as teachers, health
They form bonds care workers, first responders, and business leaders. Celena plans to be
like an older brother the next. She intends to major in public health, a medical field focused
or sister, so it’s on healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.
no surprise when The average annual cost of attendance for college students can
Celena and other
Tutor Corps students exceed the entire year’s income for families in Immokalee. Finances
grow attached aren’t posing a roadblock, though. Every Tutor Corps graduate since
to the children the program’s inception more than a decade ago has been accepted
they are mentoring. to college, oftentimes elite private institutions offering specialized
– ELLIE RAMIREZ programs. And with a graduation rate of 94%, most students earn a
bachelor’s degree without accruing any debt.
“Our dedicated Tutor Corps staff spend hours working one-on-
“Our Tutor Corps students spend seven hours a day taking their own one with students to help them understand the college admissions
classes, then dedicate the next two or three hours to helping elementary and financial aid process, but the generosity of our supporters is truly
students improve their reading and math skills,” said Ellie Ramirez, the difference-maker for our students,” said Kelly Krupp, Guadalupe
director of the After-school Program. “They form bonds like an older Center’s vice president of philanthropy. “Donations don’t just fund pro-
brother or sister, so it’s no surprise when Celena and other Tutor Corps grams or services; every dollar we receive helps fuel dreams and provide
students grow attached to the children they are mentoring.” endless opportunities for the next generation of leaders in Immokalee.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dawn Montecalvo is president and CEO at Guadalupe Center, which provides educational services to
more than 1,750 students annually in Immokalee. To learn about philanthropic opportunities, please visit
GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-657-7711.

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