NAPLES, FL—07/01/26— The Immokalee Foundation has once again been recognized among Florida's top-performing student success organizations, earning Take Stock in Children's (TSIC) Gold Level of Excellence Award for the fourteenth consecutive year. The Foundation also received the prestigious Luminary Award for the seventh straight year after achieving a perfect score of 100 out of 100 points on TSIC's annual performance assessment.


The assessment measures program excellence across mentoring, college and career readiness, compliance, data management, and student enrollment standards. The Foundation received full marks in every category, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality mentoring, academic support, and college and career preparation services that help students achieve long-term success.


TSIC is a nonprofit mentoring, college readiness, and scholarship organization. Working statewide throughout Florida, their mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, underrepresented, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for degree attainment through postsecondary education. The Immokalee Foundation has been a proud local partner of the TSIC organization since 2009.

Through the program, more than 100 volunteer mentors are matched with participating Foundation students, providing consistent encouragement, accountability, and guidance as they navigate their educational and career journeys. Eligible students also receive a Florida Prepaid tuition scholarship upon successful completion of the program and high school graduation.


"Receiving Gold Excellence recognition and the Luminary Award once again is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the unwavering dedication and discipline from our staff, mentors, volunteers, and community partners," said Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation. "Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to ensuring that every

student receives the support, guidance, and opportunities they need to pursue higher education and meaningful careers.”


"The Immokalee Foundation consistently sets a benchmark for excellence as one of our highest-performing Take Stock in Children partners across the state,” said Ele Bautista-Bernard, Vice President of Student Success and Support Services at Take Stock in Children of Florida. “Through their exceptional commitment to Take Stock program model fidelity, they deliver the highest standard of mentorship, accountability, and college-readiness support, ensuring that local scholars don't just dream of postsecondary success, they actively achieve it."

About The Immokalee Foundation:

For almost 35 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and workforce development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary education. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, host an intern, take a tour, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the Foundation in your will, please call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org.