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R E A L

40 years of izing

endless possibilities

By Dawn Montecalvo

In 1984, Guadalupe Center incorporated as a nonprofit organization,
with an initial focus on providing essential social services to those on
the margins – access to hot food, new clothing and hot showers. Over
the years, it became clear that providing quality educational programs
was vital to making a lasting impact on the community.
What started with a handful of high school students hired to tutor
two dozen elementary school children has grown into a multi-pronged
effort that serves students from birth through college, with total
enrollment at 1,950.
Guadalupe Center doesn’t just provide education – it provides
hope and long-lasting transformation to children and families
throughout Immokalee, including students like Kristen Dimas.
Kristen was a teenager when her mother completed a college degree,
inspiring Kristin to pursue her own dreams through education, starting
with joining Guadalupe Center’s Tutor Corps Program. After being
named valedictorian at Immokalee High, Kristen attended Florida
State University.
In 2016, Kristen completed medical school at Florida State. Today, she
is residency program director at Healthcare Network, with locations
throughout Collier County, including Immokalee. The role has her
working in her hometown to improve another facet of life in Immokalee
that trails other communities – access to quality health care.
“I love being able to go to my hometown and help increase
access to care,” said Dr. Dimas, who is board-certified in family
medicine. “We’ll be trying to bring more doctors into Immokalee
and getting them to stay in our community.”

R E A L

What is the impact of Guadalupe Center?

In reflecting on its 40-year history, Guadalupe Six Guadalupe Center alumni have become doctors.
Center identified four key pillars that launch Others are working as business owners, teachers, public
each student’s legacy of transformation: service workers, engineers and financial planners.
In all, more than 250 graduates of the Tutor Corps Program
• Resilience is the unwavering spirit that enables individuals have earned college degrees. Another 160 alumni are
to overcome challenges, setbacks and adversity. currently on college campuses and 125 high school
• Empowerment is the catalyst for change and allows students are on the path toward higher education.
individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence Over the past five years, the proportion of Immokalee adults
to shape their own destinies. with a bachelor’s degree has increased from 4.8% to 7.7%.
• Achievement is the mark of progress and growth, Meanwhile, the community’s poverty rate has dropped
signifying the transformative power of a high-quality from 43.4% to 28.4%. Guadalupe Center is creating endless
education. possibilities. Education is breaking the cycle of poverty, and
• Leadership is an ability to inspire and influence others to in its place, a cycle of prosperity can last for generations.
reach their full potential, and ultimately find success. Visit
This is the REAL impact of Guadalupe Center. Its students GuadalupeCenter.org/40-years
have graduated high school as valedictorians, earned to learn about Guadalupe Center’s REAL impact
Dean’s List honors in college, secured their “dream jobs” since 1984 and read stories shared by parents,
and started their own families in Southwest Florida.
students, supporters and staff.

Life in Naples | April 2024 47