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Career Pathways student interns
at Rookery Bay Environmental
Learning Center.

The Immokalee Foundation
The Power of Paying it Forward

Your personal impact is waiting to happen!

by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO Programs—and the volunteer opportunities to impact a young
'm happy to say that the time-honored concept person's professional development escalate significantly.
of paying it forward is alive and well at The These events always allow time for presenters to engage directly
IImmokalee Foundation. with students and take place at The Immokalee Foundation's
Since opening our doors in 1991, The Immokalee Programs Office. They can also take place virtually or at the host's
Foundation has empowered over 15,000 of workplace.
Immokalee's best and brightest—from kindergarten Internships are the Ultimate Win-Win Situation
through postsecondary education. With the We are honored to partner with local businesses to provide
assistance of passionate supporters, the Foundation has been paying our students with paid internships. In addition to their pathway
it forward and making dreams come true for over 31 years. curriculum, each prospective intern prepares for their internship by
Today, our innovative Career Pathways program provides completing a Fundamentals of Workplace Readiness course hosted
students with new pathways to success and financial independence. by Florida Gulf Coast University.
This unique educational approach prepares these motivated These life-changing experiences enable students to combine on-
young people for well-paying, in-demand careers in four specific the-job work experience with access to skilled professionals in their
pathways: Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education field of interest. Participating organizations benefit from additional
& Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management, workplace support and the knowledge that they are investing in
and Healthcare. Southwest Florida's future workforce.
Student participation also leads to enhanced career options Engaging an Immokalee Foundation intern not only enables
that increase income levels and impact the entire family's financial your employees to mentor new talent, but the collaboration brings a
health for generations. fresh perspective to your organization.
Understandably, all nonprofits need financial contributions; Mentoring Unleashes Each Student's Potential
however, for us, meaningful support goes beyond much-appreciated The Immokalee Foundation matches volunteer mentors with
dollars and cents. Year after year, our enthusiastic volunteers pay it middle and high school students, significantly impacting our
forward by showing up for our students when and where we need students' ability to achieve postsecondary and career success.
them most! These dedicated men and women meet with their student
Career Panels & Field Trips Inspire Every Time mentees once a week, contributing their time, attention, and
Each year, several local organizations and dozens of experience while offering hope and optimism for achievement.
professionals volunteer their time to enhance our career-building As an Immokalee Foundation mentor, you will change a young
curriculum by sharing their professional expertise with our student person's life—but the other life being changed, well, that one
population. belongs to YOU!
Every encouraging speaker and eye-opening field trip There's never been a better time—or reason—to pay it forward.
dramatically impacts our Career Pathways students. Just as our To learn more about options that best suit your volunteer goals,
Business Management & Entrepreneurship Pathway participants contact Yeimi Espinoza at 239-657-2461 or
profit from time spent with management, marketing, finance and email Yeimi.Espinoza@immokaleefoundation.org.
operations teams, our Healthcare Pathway students benefit from About The Immokalee Foundation
discussions with highly skilled doctors, nurses and clinicians. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor,
Add additional community support for our Engineering & signature events, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or
Construction Management and Education & Human Services include the Foundation in your estate plans, please call 239-430-9122 or
Pathways—as well as our Middle School and Postsecondary visit immokaleefoundation.org.
50 Life in Naples | May/June/July 2023