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Pipeline of Prosperity Program Impact Study

By Dawn Montecalvo
OCCUPATIONS
A 2023 study by Florida Gulf Coast University highlights just how impactful Controller
In the Seminole language, Immokalee means “my home.”
Perhaps that explains why so many young people raised in Guadalupe Center’s programs are in transforming lives and breaking the cycle of Paralegal
the eastern Collier County community feel such a strong pull poverty for the children of Immokalee. Photographer
to return – even after earning college degrees at public and Teacher
private institutions around the country. FGCU RESEARCHERS Amelia Biehl, Ph.D., Tom Mathews, CFA, Krishna Regmi, Ph.D.
Since Guadalupe Center launched its college-preparatory Family Medicine Physician
Tutor Corps Program in 2004, more than 280 students have RESEARCH CONSULTANT John McNichol, Ph D. Therapist
earned college degrees; more than 150 others are in college Senior Operations Manager
and on track to graduate in the coming years. Tutor Corps graduates are 55% Tutor Corps graduates are Museum Manager
Many are now back in town working as educators, health more likely to earn a college 8x more likely to earn Biomedical Coordinator
care professionals, financial advisors, engineers and other
professionals. They’re often found volunteering at local degree than their IHS Peers $70,000 or more Propulsion Test Engineer
nonprofits and serving on boards of charitable organizations. Family Case Manager
100
A new Florida Gulf Coast University study shows that Tutor 30 Health Insurance Agent
Corps graduates are 55% more likely to earn college degrees 96 % 28 %
and 25% more likely to earn at least $70,000 per year as 80 25 Healthcare Worker
compared to their peers at Immokalee High School. FORMER IHS STUDENTS UNITED STATES Design Engineer
The study also found a significant portion have returned 20 Phlebotomist
to Immokalee and surrounding communities – including 60 UNITED STATES Lawyer
19 Tutor Corps graduates who now teach in Immokalee. FLORIDA 15 FLORIDA 17 %
Some even teach in the same elementary and middle schools FORMER IHS STUDENTS Social Worker
they attended as children. The symbolism of their full-circle 40 41 % % Financial Analyst
experience is not lost on the teachers. 36 % 39 % 10 12 Investment Banker
“I specifically remember coming into the classroom not 20 TUTOR CORPS TUTOR CORPS News Associate
knowing the language, not even knowing the social cues of 5 3.5 %
being in school, let alone trying to learn how to read and write,” EMPLOYERS
said Jeanette Fuentes, the daughter of farmworkers, and a Tutor 0 0
Corps graduate, who now teaches pre-kindergarten at Pinecrest NBC Today Show
Elementary School. “So it’s easy to relate to them and desire for Gartner, Inc.
them to be successful – just like someone else wanting me to Immokalee and are now teachers in the very same classrooms Nearly all Tutor Corps
be successful when I was their age.” where they were once students. I could not think of a better 23% of Tutor Corps Healthcare Network
role model for students than leaders who have walked in the graduates earned a graduates earn more than Bonifant & Wald, LLC
Through a collaboration with Collier County Public Schools graduate degree their parents did at their age
and FGCU, a cohort of Tutor Corps graduates now teaching in same shoes. They returned home to make an investment Children’s Advocacy Center
Immokalee (including Fuentes) are launching the next step in their community – so it’s only right that we, too, make a Collier County Public Schools
of their careers – enrolling in graduate school at FGCU to pursue commitment to invest in their future as educational leaders.”
a master’s degree in educational leadership, a credential that Guadalupe Center does not charge a program fee for Tutor Corps Nearly two-thirds of Tutor Guadalupe Center
allows them to someday move into roles as assistant principals students, instead relying on the generosity of philanthropic- University of Pennsylvania
and principals. minded individuals and organizations to provide life-changing Corps graduates volunteer Lipman Family Farms
“The cohort preparing to study at FGCU represents the next educational opportunities.
generation of educational leaders in the Immokalee community,” This commitment to education not only transforms individual Partners in Health
said Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli, who led lives but also strengthens the fabric of the entire community, More than 80% of Tutor Corps graduates Neogenomics Laboratories
the collaboration. “These individuals were raised and educated in ensuring that the legacy of Immokalee continues to thrive. contribute to a retirement plan Habitat for Humanity
Molina Healthcare of Florida
About the Author GTE Financial
Atwell, LLC

Dawn Montecalvo is President and CEO Amazon.com
of Guadalupe Center. To learn more, BUILDING A CYCLE OF Prosperity THROUGH Education Credit Suisse Securities
please visit GuadalupeCenter.org
or call 239-657-7711. GuadalupeCenter.org | 239.657.7711 Migrant Student Services