NAPLES – Noemi Y. Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation, and Walt Buchholtz, the foundation’s operations director, met with United States Senator Rick Scott and community leaders during a recent visit to Immokalee for a roundtable discussion on issues important to the community, including the economy and workforce development. The Immokalee Foundation has been focused on creating educational opportunities for the youth of Immokalee since 1991 and recently introduced a new initiative, Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed. Perez and Buchholtz shared with Sen. Scott information about the program, which helps students beginning in middle school explore professional careers in demand in Southwest Florida, then follow a tailored educational plan to achieve their career goals. Some students work toward two- and four-year college degrees, while others earn professional certifications and credentials.

The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education programs that focus on building pathways to professional careers through support, mentoring and tutoring, and life skills development leading to economic independence. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, volunteering as a career panel speaker or host, becoming a mentor, making a donation, including the foundation in your estate plans, or for additional information, call 239-430-9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.