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An Immokalee Foundation student
attends the
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Public Safety Career Academy
to become a certified 911 dispatcher.

The Immokalee Foundation
The Education of a Lifetime

For over 30 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been 100% focused on education and professional development.
by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO
s an education professional, I am the first to applaud our Our students aspire to be FBI agents, immigration lawyers,
teachers. I also know many teachers who agree mental health counselors, art therapists, social workers,
A that "classroom education" is just part of the environmentalists, politicians, and teachers—everything from Pre-K
academic equation. to Postsecondary. More than that, they aspire to help—to make a
Education encompasses a vast audience of those who difference in the lives of others.
participate in—and benefit from—assistance, training, and Plus, these dedicated young people are led by a skilled
instruction in all its various forms. programming team, almost 50% of whom were born and raised in
Students in The Immokalee Foundation's Education & Immokalee and chose to remain and serve their community. I am
Human Services Pathway understand that, though teaching and proud to include myself on the list of Immokalee natives.
public service remain the cornerstones of the industry, there are In fact, almost every position at The Immokalee Foundation
many more stories to be told—in public administration, social may one day be filled by a former Education & Human Pathways
services, and law enforcement. student. Today, our dedicated staff includes counselors, fundraising
For over 30 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been professionals and program administrators, a team defined by those
100% focused on education and professional development. This who majored in social work, education, and psychology, to name just
year alone, over 1,300 students, from kindergarten through a few.
postsecondary education, will benefit from our services. And let's not forget that everyone can become a teacher or
Our Career Pathways Program is a comprehensive educational mentor. Each year, over 100 community volunteers step up to
approach that breaks new ground in preparing students for mentor our high school students, making a lasting impact on the
professional careers. In addition to Education & Human Services, futures of these amazing young people.
pathways include Business Management & Entrepreneurship, The opportunity to educate—and be educated—can be a lifelong
Engineering & Construction Management, and Healthcare. mission. Please, join us in preparing the next generation of career
Each year, Education & Human Services Pathway students professionals.
are introduced to many in-demand career opportunities through For more information, visit Immokaleefoundation.org or call
professional guest speakers, hands-on activities, and field trips. 239-430-9122. You can also support us through our Amazon Wish
Students in 11th and 12th grade interested in law enforcement List, available online at Education.ImmokaleeFoundation.org.
can attend the Collier County Sheriff's Office Public Safety
Career Academy to become certified 9-1-1 dispatchers. Although About The Immokalee Foundation
this innovative partnership launched just last summer, I am proud For more than 30 years, The Immokalee Foundation has maintained
to share that four of our students are currently employed as a a 100% focus on education and professional development for students
9-1-1 dispatcher, a position where job performance has a profound in Immokalee—from kindergarten to postsecondary education. Through
impact. support, mentoring, tutoring, and life skills development,
As an organization driven by education, it stands to reason we'd The Immokalee Foundation provides pathways to success for those
maintain a strong focus on preparing the educators of tomorrow, who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to succeed.
regardless of where, how, or who they choose to teach. For additional information visit immokaleefoundation.org.

52 Life in Naples | April 2022