In Immokalee, Florida, a tutoring and mentoring program run by the Guadalupe Center has been helping students, particularly those from migrant worker families, prepare for college and achieve higher education as a path to prosperity. High school senior Jazmin Lara-Vasquez, who has been part of the program for four years, credits it with helping her grow as a person, prepare for life after high school, and earn scholarship funds for college. The program, which has been in existence for 40 years, has been instrumental in supporting students like Lara-Vasquez in pursuing higher education and overcoming the challenges present in their community.
The Guadalupe Center has served nearly 2,000 children and youth annually in the Immokalee school system since 1984. The program has been successful in helping over 94% of its participants obtain college degrees and initiate careers in various fields. Given the low percentage of adults in Immokalee with bachelor’s degrees and high poverty rates, the center’s impact on the community is significant. Many of the students in the program are first-generation college students and come from families with limited resources, making the program essential in providing them with the necessary support to pursue higher education.
Students in the Tutor Corps program must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout high school to receive guidance and support for pursuing educational and career goals. The program offers various resources, including ACT and SAT preparation, mentorship opportunities, financial literacy training, scholarship assistance, and compensation for tutoring younger peers. The program aims to ensure that students are well-prepared for college and have access to necessary resources without having to take out student loans. It also provides students with a realistic preview of college life, helping them navigate the transition to higher education successfully.
Participants in the program like John Auguste and Silviano Rubio-Diaz have found direction and support through the Tutor Corps program, guiding them towards their academic and career goals. Auguste, who will attend Northeastern University, recognizes the cultural shift he will experience moving from Immokalee to a diverse college environment. Rubio-Diaz, who plans to attend Florida SouthWestern State College, credits the program with helping him identify his career goals and preparing him for life after high school. These success stories highlight the positive impact of the Guadalupe Center’s tutoring and mentoring program on students from migrant worker families in Immokalee.
As students like Lara-Vasquez prepare to leave their community for college, they reflect on the impact of the tutoring program and the opportunities it has provided them. By paving the way for younger residents to consider higher education, they hope to inspire others to pursue their academic dreams. The program’s president, Dawn Montecalvo, seeks to continue reaching more students in the community and strengthening the program to support students in transitioning successfully from high school to college. Many students, like 17-year-old Liliana Carreno-Gonzalez, plan to return to Immokalee after earning their college degrees to give back to their community and help other students achieve their educational goals. The Guadalupe Center’s commitment to promoting higher education and empowering students from migrant worker families in Immokalee continues to make a difference in their lives and the community as a whole.
