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Business Management &
Entrepreneurship Pathway
students collaborate at
Immokalee Foundation
summer camp at FGCU.

The Immokalee Foundation:
The Other Side of Summer Slide

by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO
hile the well deserved tradition of 22 lucky students will also gain a leg up in counseling and early
summer break can benefit the mental childhood education.
W and emotional well being of students— Business Management & Entrepreneurship Pathway students
and any stakeholders involved in the day to will participate in one of our most popular summer activities, our
day school operations—it's essential to address Shark Tank themed "What's Your Pitch?" event. Over four weeks,
concerns about students potentially losing ground 27 highly creative students will work with FGCU faculty at the
academically. This issue is especially significant for University's Institute for Entrepreneurship to identify a problem or
low income students. opportunity, create an innovative solution, and develop a sustainable
According to the National Summer Learning Association, business model.
students who fall behind over the summer are less likely to Finally, Engineering & Construction Management Pathway
graduate from high school or go on to college. This regression of students will be introduced to the essential "tools of the trade" at
academics over the summer months has been coined with the term Immokalee Technical College, followed by a one week construction
"summer slide." management course at FGCU. These young men and women will
At The Immokalee Foundation, our summer learning programs receive two industry recognized credentials for their efforts.
provide a fun and engaging way to transition students from one We're not done yet. Next, there's our robust summer internship
school year to the next. program, where 47 of our high school students will gain crucial
This summer, our middle school students will attend a STEM hands on experience while learning directly from employers,
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Camp mentors, and industry experts.
in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). To help them prepare, each student will earn a Fundamentals of
Here, 50 middle school students will engage in activities focused Workforce Readiness Digital Badge certification from FGCU.
on improving problem solving abilities and critical thinking Thank you to our summer education partners, FGCU and
capabilities while strengthening communication skills through Immokalee Technical College. We also wish to express our sincere
experiential learning. gratitude to our internship hosts, such as Physician's Regional
Our high school students participate in our year round Career Healthcare System, who will host an impressive 12 Healthcare
Pathways career development program, enabling our students to Pathway interns at its Pine Ridge and Collier Boulevard hospitals
begin preparing for careers that lead to well paying jobs in high this summer.
demand. Our enthusiastic students will also be found onsite at Arthrex,
During the summer months, Career Pathways students attend Artis Naples, AVOW, Barron Collier Companies, Collier County
education camps hosted by our extraordinary education partners, Sheriff's Office, Healthcare Network, Guadalupe Center, Legal Aid
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Immokalee Technical of Naples, Marine Construction Inc., Naples Air, Naples Players,
College (iTECH). Conservancy of SWFL, and WGCU.
Physicians Regional Healthcare System has once again funded Education heroes—everyone one of them. And you, too, for
100% of the costs of our Healthcare Camp, hosted by FGCU. reading and caring.
Here, 42 Healthcare Pathway students will be busy learning about About The Immokalee Foundation
aquatic therapy, animal assisted therapy, nursing, and medical For more than 32 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been
illustration and simulation. preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on
Education & Human Services Pathway students will explore education, career readiness, and professional development for students in
forensics and criminal justice by dusting and pulling fingerprints Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary education.
for crime scene investigations. Again, hosted by FGCU, these To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, call 239-430-9122 or
visit immokaleefoundation.org
50 Life in Naples | April 2024