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Path  nders rallies

       Naples Stars in support

            of Pathways Early

          Education Center of

                  Immokalee






              ast season, Pathfi nders hosted an evening of tempting   high-quality, early learning programs. Multiple studies have shown
              tangos, sizzling salsas, and jiving jitterbugs for its inaugural   that when students are engaged in early education programs, they
        LDancing with the Naples Stars event. Chaired by Judy      are more prepared to enter kindergarten with stronger language,
        Tedder and Sarann Kraushaar, the competition attracted hundreds   math, and cognitive abilities. By giving every child access to
        of guests to cheer on Naples Stars – key government,community,   nurturing and stimulating environments, Pathways is helping
        and business leaders – who were paired with professional dancers.   Immokalee’s future leaders adapt for a lifetime of learning.
           It was more than a prize driving the dancers to compete    Th  ousands of children have passed through Pathways’ doors to
        though, their goal was to change the path for some of Immokalee’s   achieve success in school and careers, breaking the cycle of poverty
        most at-risk children. Th  ey were rallied to support the event by   that impacts over half of the families in Immokalee. However, the
        members of Pathfi nders, an auxiliary support group with a goal of   waiting list for a child to enter the school can be a year or longer.
        raising awareness and much needed tuition assistance for Pathways   More than 500 children are currently waiting to gain access to the
        Early Education Center of Immokalee.                       language-rich environment, where they learn to work cooperatively
           Proceeds from Dancing with the Naples Stars and Pathfi nders’   with a diverse peer group.
        future events will give Immokalee’s future leaders access to   Learn more at www.PathwaysEarlyEducation.org.




























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