The Immokalee Foundation Goes Full Circle

Life may seem like a linear journey, staring at birth and ending with our final breath. However, if there is anything that life teaches, a straight line is hardly a good measure of our existence.

If we look closer, we see circles — or, as Pythagoras would say, the most perfect shape ever. 

After all, much of nature is built in circular shapes and moves in circular patterns. From our planet to the sun and moon, all the way down to the structure of our cells and atoms, circular shapes and patterns are everywhere. 

There is something truly significant about this shape, and experience teaches us that it doesn't just belong to geometry. Instead, we see it carried out through the unfolding of events in our lives.

The Immokalee Foundation is no exception. These full-circle moments build upon what makes it so special.

Carlos Moreno

Carlos, a BCB Homes employee, is the Superintendent of The Immokalee Foundation's Learning Lab, an 18-home subdivision in Immokalee that serves as a hands-on professional career experience for Foundation students. 

In this role, he provides hands-on training for our Engineering & Construction Management and Business Management & Entrepreneurship Pathway students, helping these motivated young people with the tools required to succeed in the construction industry.

At age 16, Carlos joined The Immokalee Foundation with the support of his farmworker father and mother. After graduating from Immokalee High School in 2008, he secured a summer internship with BCB Homes, eventually leading to his full-time position and current role overseeing The Learning Lab.

As Carlos lives in Immokalee, it was only natural that he would encourage his eldest daughter, Carol, to become an Immokalee Foundation student.

Today, Carol is in middle school and part of the second generation of the Moreno family to benefit from The Immokalee Foundation's educational programs.

"As a former Foundation student and current Foundation parent, being the Superintendent for BCB Homes on this project is especially gratifying," said Carlos. "It's an honor to have come full circle to train the next generation of construction professionals."

Amy Mendez

Amy's parents worked hard as farm workers to provide for their family and always believed that education was the key to a better future. To ensure that their daughter had access to opportunities for higher education, they had her join The Immokalee Foundation when she was in middle school.

With the support of the Foundation's scholarship program, she secured enough funds to pursue her postsecondary education at The University of Florida.

After graduating in 2018 with a degree in Psychology, Amy began her career in retail banking. In 2019, she was selected as the Florida Migrant Success Story of the Year and made her way to Lipman Produce, where she worked in finance, HR, and operations.

Two years later, Amy moved into a brand new home built by our students at the Learning Lab. It was only a year after that she joined The Immokalee Foundation in the role of Student Advocate, where she supports Foundation students on their own academic and career journeys.

"It is a surreal feeling to come full circle with the Foundation," Amy said. "It is fulfilling to give back to a community that has provided so many opportunities to me and my family. My goal is to inspire students to pursue their dreams and  work towards getting a degree so they can be prepared for the workforce."

Yeimi Espinoza

As an Immokalee Foundation alum, Yeimi Espinoza is the first person in her family to graduate college. She has since dedicated her career to making a positive difference in the lives of our students.

Yeimi began with The Immokalee Foundation as an intern and joined full-time after graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University. Today, she serves as the Foundation's Program Manager for Take Stock in Children (TSIC) and is preparing to celebrate her 11th year as part of the Foundation team.

Her current role includes recruiting and managing a team of over 100 community volunteers who serve as mentors to help motivate and guide Immokalee Foundation students toward their postsecondary and career goals.

As an Immokalee native and an Immokalee Foundation alum, Yeimi understands the value of having a mentor, scholarship, and program resources to help students succeed. In fact, she has personally volunteered her own time to mentor seven students over the past decade.

Yeimi is honored to pay it forward by managing a program that provides the same life-changing tools that helped her succeed.

Noemi Y. Perez

Even our President and CEO, Noemi Perez, guides the organization from a unique perspective. Her journey with The Immokalee Foundation began in 2008 when she joined as a student advocate. She worked her way up to VP of Programs. In 2018, Noemi was promoted to Executive Director and was subsequently named President & CEO in 2019. 

What makes her journey so remarkable is that she, too, was raised in Immokalee. She is the students she supports and understands the challenges they face. Her role at The Immokalee Foundation provides a unique opportunity to uplift and inspire students who—like her—have demonstrated resilience to face challenges head-on and overcome adversity.

About The Immokalee Foundation: For more than 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. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org.