NAPLES, FL—5/31/23—Representatives from The Immokalee Foundation recently presented at two education-focused conferences, with a third national conference coming in October.

The presentations focused on the tremendous success of The Immokalee Foundation's innovative Career Pathways Program. Launched in 2019, the program provides new pathways to success and financial independence through robust programming that prepares middle and high school students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management, and Healthcare.

Team members presented at the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) Talent Strong Florida Summit in Tampa, followed by the Forum National Conference in Detroit.

"What began as a local initiative and regional news story is continuing to get discovered by national audiences," said Immokalee Foundation President and CEO Noemi Y. Perez. "For those of us whose mission is to support educational initiatives, it's an honor to stand before our peers and share our story. When one of us wins, we all win."

Perez, Program Services Director Amber Barr, and Postsecondary Services Manager, Paulina Magaña, shared the spotlight at the Forum National Conference in Detroit, speaking with other youth-development professionals in a panel discussion titled "Stronger Systems, Stronger Youth."

The trio proudly shared the Foundation's best practices for implementing work-based learning initiatives into after-school programming.

"It was so exciting to have a conference full of youth development professionals eager to share and learn from one another. We would be extremely honored if they took a bit of Immokalee's success into their space," said Paulina Magaña, Postsecondary Services Manager.

The same team, joined by The Immokalee Foundation's Career Pathways Senior Manager Yaresly Gorosquieta, addressed FCAN's "Engage and Empower" Summit in Tampa. The quartet shared similar insights into how the Foundation is redefining student success through the transformative Career Pathways program.

Florida College Access Network is the heart of a statewide movement to ensure today's students are prepared for tomorrow's jobs. Foundation representatives are now scheduled to present their story at the 2023 National College Access Network national conference in Dallas this October.

About The Immokalee Foundation: For more than 31 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 to postsecondary education. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, signature events, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the Foundation in your estate plans, please call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org