A Celebration of Family

The holiday season represents different things to different people. On top of its religious significance, it's a time of caring, compassion, giving, and sharing.  

Thankfully, this is also a time associated with a celebration of family.  

I'm lucky. I get to spend my holiday with my immediate family—including my first grandchild. However, as an Immokalee native, I also celebrate the love of an entire community—an extended family of loyal, hardworking men and women who put family first, 12 months a year.  

Like mothers and fathers everywhere, Immokalee's parents share the universal goal of giving their children a better life — and we're here to help. 

Since 1991, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee — from kindergarten through postsecondary education. 

Over 16,000 of Immokalee's best and brightest have received educational support during this time. However, what's equally exciting is the benefit to the entire family.  

Twins Abigail and Emili were accepted into The Immokalee Foundation in sixth grade and are now active in our Postsecondary Program. As our students receive support until they walk in the door at their first professional job, it's common for a young person to be with us for 10 years or more. 

Abigail is attending Sante Fe College and hopes to become a criminal justice lawyer. Emili, a Florida SouthWestern State College student, is laying the groundwork for her desired career in education. The common thread? Both professionswill enable the sisters to pay it forward and help others—a common goal found in Immokalee Foundation students.  

Ourprimary challenge: Immokalee's families suffer intergenerational poverty and very low educational attainment. Immokalee's per capita income is $17,927, ranking it 477th out of 485 communities in Florida.   

The Immokalee Foundation is in the business of changing this disheartening statistic—in many ways, one family at a time.  

Although Immokalee is commonly associated with being home to a hardworking community of farm workers, housekeepers, landscapers, drivers, and laborers, many Immokalee Foundation families represent a changing professional landscape.  

Today, the five Garcia siblings, Aida, Diego, Eric, Joel and Sandra, run the gamut with careers in the Military, business administration, civil engineering, and veterinary medicine.  

"The impact of The Immokalee Foundation on my family is truly transformative," said Aida. "They opened doors to numerous opportunities for all of us, providing financial assistance, life-long mentors, and crucial guidance in navigating college and even our first part-time jobs. Not many organizations invest in students like us, but The Immokalee Foundation took a chance on our family, and now we've all blossomed into successful professionals." 

Generational wealth is a common attribute of life on the Gulf Coast; however, through increased education, career attainment, and elevated income potential, financial independence and career success arefinding theirway inland to Immokalee. 

Four other siblings ultimately represent our four Career Pathways. Ariana is studying exercise physiology at Florida State University (Healthcare), Gerardo is a Golf Pro in Estero (Education & Human Services), Giovanni is pursuing a degree in management at FGCU (Business Management & Entrepreneurship), and Oscar is a project manager at GradyMinor, a full-service engineering firm in Fort Myers (Construction Management & Engineering). 

The short-and long-term outlook for all family members—grandparents, parents, and siblings—has received a giant boost through equal access to education and professional development. 

"The Immokalee Foundation has had a tremendous impact on my family, and it continues to do so," observed Giovanni. "They have provided my older brothers mentorship and resources throughout their college journeys, helping them graduate and move into their careers. Now, they're offering me and my younger sister the same support. We've achieved things we once thought were out of reach. As a family, we are forever grateful for the support and opportunities given us. The Immokalee Foundation has become like a second family, guiding us to reach our full potential." 

At The Immokalee Foundation, we proudly celebrate the families of Immokalee and their immense contributions to the region's workforce, economy and holiday spirit.