An Important Message From Dawn Montecalvo, President & CEO

Helping 1,400+ students and families

As we adjust and adapt to the current situation, our teachers and staff are hard at work. The transition to virtual learning is challenging in a community where internet access is often considered a luxury and day-to-day needs take precedence over anything else. With help from our community and philanthropic partners, we are addressing the immediate and essential needs of our families while helping them navigate “e-learning.” And, we continue to teach.

Student Focused

We are ready to help when needs arise. Here is what we are doing to help now:

• Staying in contact with 1,400+ students and families across all programs
• Preparing and supporting parents of early learning students to be their child’s primary teacher with at-home resources and lesson plans to maintain progress and keep students on-track
• Bringing students together by hosting virtual classes for early learning students and helping establish a new class routine for students – singing, learning and laughing together
• Maintaining almost daily communications with Tutor Corps high school and college students to provide support for virtual learning and encouragement in an uncertain time
• Continuing college preparatory activities for all Tutor Corps students such as writing college essays, taking assessments, completing applications and applying for scholarships
• Identifying and addressing immediate needs for families

Our focus remains on preparing students for academic success and economic independence. Students need our help staying focused on that goal and seeing hope for their future now more than ever. We know Guadalupe Center is their lifeline and we will not let them down.

Mission Forward

You can help Guadalupe Center while we continue to advance our mission by staying Student Focused, Mission Forward.

Your gift will allow Guadalupe Center to:

• Uphold our commitment to continue paying our teachers – the majority of whom are Immokalee residents
• Continue the shift to virtual and remote learning. Update and upgrade our technology to ensure our students have access to laptops and other devices to learn at home.
• Help families who live paycheck to paycheck with their immediate needs like food, diapers and baby formula, while they are unable to work during this crisis

If you are able to Give, thank you. We appreciate each and every donation.

Filling the Gaps

Students need support today. When parents can’t work, food insecurity becomes an immediate challenge. Thanks to Debbie & Bill Toler and the Clark Family Foundation for acting quickly to help our families with hot meals. With the help of Jonesez BBQ and Mi Ranchito, we were able to feed families on Saturdays to fill the gap as other services were getting up and running.

Weekdays, Guadalupe Center is a food distribution location for Collier County Public Schools. This resource is critical for our families who rely on the center for weekday meals.

Mentors are invaluable to our Tutor Corps students, especially now. Their support lets students know they are not alone and keeps them engaged and hopeful. We are grateful for all that the mentors are doing to encourage students.

Words of Hope and Encouragement are especially important now. Your kind words on our social media channels are an encouragement to the families, students and staff, reminding us that we are together as we remain distant. Follow our story on social media – like, share and comment.

Always,

Due to closures and work-from-home efforts, we are encouraging email communications at this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please email info@GuadalupeCenter.org.