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“T
he
are on the
”
“The BEST EVENTS are on the WATER!”

The Immokalee Foundation
supports students
from kindergarten
through
postsecondary
education.

The Immokalee Foundation

Multiliteracy Matters

by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO This program is known as TechSpark Immokalee and is the first
of its kind in Florida. Students will attend the four-week digital
hen we think of literacy, we typically literacy program taught by a Microsoft TechSpark Fellow from
W FGCU.
think of Textual Literacy, i.e., reading
and writing. Yet, in today's competitive
Classes will follow a curriculum to build digital skills that impact Beach Shelling, Afternoon & Sunset
marketplace, multiliteracy matters most. future jobs, including data processing, virtual and augmented reality,
Let's take a look.
robotics, and generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT. Sightseeing, Sunset Dinners, Hors D’oeuvres
Textual Literacy
The construction and engineering industry, whose workers are at
At The Immokalee Foundation, Textual Literacy considerable risk of being displaced by future technology, will serve
support begins with our Immokalee Readers Program, where as a pilot project for building these skills. Private Charters, Specialty Cruises,
elementary students engage in activities to help build language
Workplace Literacy
skills, including vocabulary, self-expression, and comprehension. Workplace literacy lies at the heart of our programming as it
An impressive 97% of our Immokalee Readers students showed Weddings & More also Available!
growth in their reading scores last year. represents the education, training and soft skills needed for success.
In middle school, our students—alongside their parents—begin
Though properly communicating through the written word is
their career exploration phase. They are exposed to various careers
the basis for classroom education, other types of literacy demand in the Foundation's four Career Pathways: Business Management
equal attention.
& Entrepreneurship, Engineering & Construction Management,
Financial Literacy
Education & Human Services, and Healthcare.
This invaluable life skill gives the students we support a baseline By the time they complete eighth grade, these students have
for making sound financial decisions and helps them become been exposed to career panels, field trips, workshops, mentoring,
financially secure later in life.
career interest and aptitude assessments, and a four-week summer
Thanks to our partnerships with local financial institutions, our STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Academy in
students receive financial training in middle school that continues partnership with FGCU. They also develop a career action plan and
through postsecondary education.
choose which of the four Career Pathways they would like to pursue
For example, during the last school year, BMO Bank visited
in high school.
The Immokalee Foundation and taught our middle school students Our high school students immerse themselves in their chosen
about the importance of budgeting. Suncoast Credit Union
pathways through highly specialized programming, including paid
gave our high school students valuable savings and credit card
internships, industry-recognized certification courses, career expos,
debt information. Truist Bank helped build debt awareness for and networking events.
our postsecondary students and taught them how to recognize Whether Textual, Financial, Digital, or Workplace, at The
predatory lending practices.
Immokalee Foundation—and in life—multiliteracy wins the day.
Digital Literacy About The Immokalee Foundation
As the role of technology continues to grow in the workplace,
the importance of digital literacy skills is at an all-time high. For 32 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the
next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career
Though our curriculum has addressed technology's critical role
readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—
for many years, things are about to get even better. Thanks to a from kindergarten through postsecondary education. The Foundation
recent collaboration with Microsoft, Florida Gulf Coast University
provides new pathways to success and financial independence through
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robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand N NaplesPrincessCruises.com  2 239.649.2275  missNaplesBoat.com
Authority, 157 Immokalee Foundation middle school students will professional careers in Business Management & Entrepreneurship,
enter a two-year pilot program this year to further bridge the gap Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction
between youth education and digital skills needed for success in the Also available at:
Management and Healthcare. To learn more about The Immokalee
modern workforce.
Foundation, become a mentor, signature events, volunteer as a career
panel speaker or host, donate, or include the Foundation in your estate deck & tritoon Paddleboards Fishing Charters
Boat rentals Kayaks & gift shop!
plans, please call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org.
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50 Life in Naples | November 2023 Life in Naples | November 2023 51