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Business Management & Entrepreneurship
Pathway student intern at the Baker
Museum at Artis—Naples.

Want to Add Greater Meaning to

Your Retirement Lifestyle?

The Immokalee Foundation:
The Workforce of Today & Tomorrow

by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO,
The Immokalee Foundation
ince 1991, The Immokalee Foundation safe and sound as part of law enforcement and government.
has empowered over 16,000 students Immokalee Foundation alums inhabit the halls of many
Swho have, in turn, made extensive Southwest Florida businesses. While the most entrepreneurial
contributions to Southwest Florida’s workforce. among them own and operate various companies, the remainder
We often say we are “preparing the leaders of play vital roles in logistics and distribution, manufacturing,
tomorrow;” however, the impact is strongly felt information technology, property management, financial and
throughout our community today. professional services, and more.
Consider this: If an Immokalee As I look at our accomplishments from 1991 to this year,
Become a Mentor Today Foundation high school senior was 18 years old in 1991, today, I marvel at the potential the future holds for all of us.
that hardworking adult would be approximately 51, having been a
As challenging as life can be for those in Immokalee, we
“ As a five-year Immokalee Since 1991, The Immokalee Foundation has empowered over decades. opportunities. Always remember that when one family member
contributor to the local, state or national professional landscape for
find joy in our students’ subsequent ability to turn obstacles into
gets a boost, they pave the way for others to follow.
They are consumers, taxpayers, friends, neighbors, volunteers
Who can forget when Foundation student Merced shared her
and community leaders.
16,000 of Immokalee’s best and brightest young people to change
Foundation mentor,
Whether you realize it or not, you are likely crossing paths with
most satisfying has been the course of their lives by equipping them with the education and Immokalee Foundation alumni regularly. They are an essential part mother’s emotion packed yet profound advice: “I want you to work
in a place where there’s air conditioning and not out in the sun
picking tomatoes.” As most of us work in an air-conditioned setting,
of life in Naples.
experiencing, first-hand, the resources leading to success and financial independence. Before our nationally recognized Career Pathways program how can we not be moved by the implied challenges between
change from shy, cautious, In support of these deserving young people, over 100 volunteer existed, we were instrumental in developing talent to fill vital Merced and the climate-controlled environment most of us take
roles in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education &
for granted?
inexperienced individuals mentors a year meet with their high school mentees at least twice Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management & SW Florida, the predominantly agricultural community of
Whether you are a full or part time resident or visitor to
Healthcare.
into remarkably confident, a month for 30 minutes or more—virtually and/or in person. As a Although Immokalee is commonly associated with being home Immokalee has likely fed you.
Despite this tremendous responsibility, Immokalee’s families
expressive, outgoing and mentor, your time, attention and vast experience become a to a hardworking community of farm workers, housekeepers, suffer intergenerational poverty and very low educational
landscapers, drivers, and laborers, many Immokalee Foundation
communicative young adults powerful tool, guiding your mentee to expand their worldview as families represent a changing professional landscape. attainment. Immokalee’s per capita income is $17,927, ranking it
Our alums are physicians, nurses, technicians, and
ready to take on the world! they continue their academic journey. administrators at regional healthcare facilities. As aging and 477th out of 485 communities in Florida.
The Immokalee Foundation is in the business of changing this
increased vulnerability go hand in hand, each one of these disheartening statistic.
Albert Dzermejko Best of all, mentees and mentors grow together, fostering dedicated professionals is doing their part to care for us as these Our success is a win for all of Southwest Florida.
Ave Maria, FL life transitions occur. About The Immokalee Foundation
deep, meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime. Foundation alumni are actively involved in the building trade, For over 33 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing
working on the front lines of our current construction boom as the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career
architects, engineers, and managers. It’s possible that a highly readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—
To get started on becoming a mentor, please contact Yeimi Espinoza at skilled Immokalee Foundation alum had a hand in building one of from kindergarten through postsecondary education.
To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor,
yeimi.espinoza@immokaleefoundation.org or 239.692.5940 your most prized possessions—your home. host an intern, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or
Many of our former students have spread their wings as proud
immokaleefoundation.org members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Still, others serve as educators include the Foundation in your will, please call 239-430-9122 or visit
to your children and grandchildren, while another subset keeps us
immokaleefoundation.org
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