Eye On Immokalee

Seventeen years ago, my family embarked on a life-changing journey from Haiti to Florida. We were leaving the only home we knew for a chance at a better life in America. As an eight-year-old on that plane, I clung to hope and nervous excitement.

We made our way to the small town of Immokalee, Florida - a new town, a small apartment, a new school, an unfamiliar language, strangers, new friends, and chicken nuggets! A completely new way of life.

"I don't want you to labor and toil in the sun the way I have to," my parents said. "Do good in school, come to church, go to college, get a job - a job inside, with AC and on the computer," my mom explained.

I knew "what" I had to do; my parents made that very clear, but the "how" was unknown to me.

How was I going to pay for college, how do I navigate classes, how do I even get in? This is where The Immokalee Foundation came in. They were a guiding light in my pursuit of education and a better life.

For over 32 years, 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. 

The Foundation provides new pathways to success and financial independence through robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Construction Management and Healthcare.

Through The Foundation's Mentor Program, I met the amazing John and Emily Costigan. Mr. and Mrs. Costigan were my motivators while I was in high school. They empowered me to learn and grow. Today, over 100 community volunteers serve as mentors to Immokalee Foundation students just like me.

The Immokalee Foundation also gave me my first job as a tutor to younger students. Ironically, not too long before, I was a child learning to read and write in English. 

This exceptional program, Immokalee Readers, builds literacy skills for elementary-aged children who are reading below grade level by providing high school-aged tutors - supervised by certified professional teachers - to help enhance reading skills.

The Immokalee Foundation continued to guide my educational journey. They opened doors I never knew were there. 

In the summer of 2015, I had the opportunity to attend the Florida State University College of Medicine Summer Institute and I fell in love with FSU's campus.

When it was time to apply, The Immokalee Foundation was there too. They provided an extensive ACT prep course, workshops, a panel of current college students to ask questions to, FAFSA and college application help, and even deadline reminders.

Once I got into Florida State University, I received ongoing support from my Postsecondary Coordinator at the Foundation. In an extraordinary full-circle moment, I returned to intern at The Foundation during the summer after my freshman year.

The Immokalee Foundation gave me many new experiences, opportunities, and cherished memories. Plus, I honored my parents' wishes, graduating in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and landing a career soon after. 

And yes, it's indoors with AC - and a computer is involved. 

I am in my second year of Flowserve's IGNITE Early Career Development Program, an elite opportunity for emerging leaders to fast-track their careers while leveraging their engineering background.

Accelerated professional growth is obtained through intentional and multi-faceted learning experiences over three years, including annual geographical and functional business rotations, tailored and robust curriculum, and diverse project assignments that deliver a visible and significant impact on Flowserve's business.

This year, I am working in Chesapeake, Virginia, leading a process improvement project for one of the site's assembly lines. 

While this is my story, it mirrors The Immokalee Foundation's impact on countless others—over 15,000 young lives have been changed since 1991.

To the donors and advocates, your support has made a profound difference. To the rest of you, your support matters. You, too, can change a life just like mine.

Mom, thanks for the 'what' and 'why,' and to The Immokalee Foundation, thank you for revealing the 'how.'

"Eye on Immokalee" is a student profile and education series from The Immokalee Foundation. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation or donate, please call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org.