Life Changes on a Dime

In 2017, life changed for many in Southwest Florida.  

Hurricane Irma was devastating to the Immokalee community in particular. As my wife Janet and I lived in Naples and suffered no damage, we immediately looked for opportunities to assist those in the neighboring agricultural community.  

A friend suggested we look into The Immokalee Foundation since he knew of our keen interest in supporting education.  

We traveled to Immokalee and met some of the staff and students who enthusiastically summarized the work being done, the results documenting their success, and the challenges faced. And the successes are notable. 

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.  

One hundred percent of the students we support graduate from high school having completed an internship in their field of study; 93% graduate with an advanced postsecondary certificate or degree; and 87% of our alumni work in their chosen field of study. 

My introduction to The Immokalee Foundation kickstarted a cascade of opportunities to get involved. I became a mentor to one of the students and joined the Board of Directors. In addition, my wife Janet and I co-chaired the Foundation's annual Charity Classic Gala fundraiser—three times! 

In 2021, I gladly assumed the role of Board Chair—a gratifying role that continues today. 

I am often asked: What do you really need to continue the success that you have had over the past 33 years?  

The answer is always the same: money and mentors. 

The money part is obvious: We have operational and strategic needs that can only be met by the financial contributions of our donors and by successfully tapping available grants.  

We also have an ongoing need for mentors. Why? Because our access to postsecondary scholarships from state-funded Take Stock in Children requires each eligible student recipient to have a mentor. 

My first Immokalee Foundation mentee was a seventh-grade student. He was the product of a single mother who was studying to get her postsecondary degree. They lived in a trailer for the first ten years of his life. She instilled a sense of hard-working discipline in her son, which he passionately applied to his studies.  

My mentee graduated from high school as salutatorian of his class and was awarded numerous scholarships. Today, he attends FGCU in preparation for pursuing a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. His goal? Returning to Immokalee to work in the local clinic.  

Amazing…but just one example of how The Immokalee Foundation provides life-changing opportunities for motivated students.  

Now, more about money. The success of our nationally recognized Career Pathways program is the result of very targeted funding to ensure that these genuinely life-changing programs receive the necessary support within our operational budget. 

Through Career Pathways, the Foundation provides robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management and Healthcare. 

However, our annual financial resources limit the expansion of eligible students into the program. Since each participating student receives an appropriate postsecondary scholarship, we can only provide the number of scholarships we can fit into our annual budget. 

In addition, strategic needs must also be met. While annual donations are helpful, The Immokalee Foundation is at the point where future assurances are needed, pushing the expansion of our Planned Giving Program toward the top of our list of needs. 

As part of The Immokalee Foundation's strategic plan, we have added a critical new position dedicated to guiding donors through various planned giving options. This focus on protecting one's legacy helps make the case for supporters and prospective donors to consider sustainable investment ways to support our mission into the future. 

Above all, thank you to our many donors, community partners and passionate supporters for your enduring generosity. We couldn't do it without you.  

To others, please join us. Though your participation will undoubtedly change a student's life, the other life being changed will belong to you.