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Immokalee Foundation students
and twin sisters Emili and Abigail.

The Immokalee Foundation
The Immokalee Foundation's Family Society Redefines Family Support

“Reading is the first step to succeed in life.” The Immokalee Foundation has helped both of us by providing the
~Abigail tools necessary to discover our purpose in life. They are a very
special part of our familia—one we know we can always count on.
~Emili

by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO This also means that many of our students rely on us for a
cannot recall a time when being a twin didn't significant portion of their childhood. For example, Abigail and
I Emili were accepted into The Immokalee Foundation in sixth grade.
receive a lot of attention. There are Mary-Kate
They are currently high school juniors and, after graduation, will
and Ashley Olsen and the Property Brothers,
Drew and Jonathan Scott. I suspect that many join our Postsecondary program. As our students receive Foundation
in Southwest Florida hear "twins" and think of support until they walk in the door at their first professional job, it's
Wrigley's iconic gum duo, the Doublemint Twins. common for a student to be with us for ten years or more!
Today, I'd like to introduce you to a pair of twin The Immokalee Foundation has—and will continue to—provide
sisters near and dear to my heart. They may not be on television the twins with mentors, access to field trips, networking events,
(yet), but The Immokalee Foundation's Abigail and Emili are on a internships, and more. However, our impact goes beyond Abigail
path to making their mark on the world. and Emili. Enhanced career options will increase income levels and
High school juniors, the sisters participate in The Immokalee impact the entire family's financial health for generations.
Foundation's Education & Human Services Pathway, an after- No wonder we often refer to everyone associated with The
school curriculum designed to provide educational support and Immokalee Foundation as "family" or "familia." A tenure of this
professional development to would-be teachers, social workers, civil scale bonds us all together.
service and law enforcement professionals, politicians, government In Immokalee, a strong family atmosphere is interwoven
officials and more. throughout the community. By participating in our new "Family
Though the pair shares a Career Pathway, they have individual Society," community members can make their own generational
career goals. Abigail plans to become a criminal justice lawyer, and impact on the families of the children we support.
Emili is already laying the foundation for her desired career in The Family Society is an alternative to annual giving that allows
education—two professions enabling the sisters to pay it forward donors to contribute a predetermined, budget-friendly monthly
and help others. amount.
Another common denominator is that both sisters work "Although many believe that family is defined by blood,
as tutors in our Immokalee Reader's Literacy Program. "This to us, family are people who love, support and help each other
experience has provided us with leadership, communication, unconditionally no matter who you are," said Emili. "The
time management, and organizational skills—and we get to see Immokalee Foundation has helped both of us by providing the tools
the elementary school students grow in ways they didn't know necessary to discover our purpose in life. They are a very special part
possible," said Abigail. "Reading is the first step to succeed in life." of our familia—one we know we can always count on."
For over 31 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been
About The Immokalee Foundation
preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus
For more than 30 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been
on education, career readiness, and professional development for
preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on
students in Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary
education, career readiness, and professional development for students
education.
in Immokalee—from kindergarten to postsecondary education. To learn
more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, signature
events, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the
Foundation in your estate plans, please call 239-430-9122 or
visit immokaleefoundation.org.

50 Life in Naples | April 2023