The Collier Community Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to help support Guadalupe Center’s nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program.
Guadalupe Center, which recently expanded its Early Childhood Education Program with the addition of two new campuses, provides more than 500 students with access to a safe, high-quality early learning program. The program serves students ages 6 weeks to 5 years old and focuses on building academic, social, emotional and behavioral skills needed for success in elementary school and beyond.
Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program is the only early learning program in Collier County accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); it also is accredited by the Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE). The Florida Department of Children and Families recognizes Guadalupe Center as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program.
“A high-quality birth-to-five program is critical in providing a strong foundation for your youngest learners,” said Dawn Montecalvo, president of Guadalupe Center. “The grant from the Collier Community Foundation helps ensure that we can continue offering high-quality academic program that is affordable for all families in Immokalee.”
Through generous philanthropic support, families pay an average tuition of $40 per week through a sliding scale based on parents’ income.
The Collier Community Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Selected organizations receive grant dollars from the Community Impact Fund, which is comprised of donors who believe in the Community Foundation’s ability to identify the community’s most current needs and private financial support.
About Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center is a purpose-driven nonprofit organization with proven success in creating endless possibilities for the students of Immokalee through education, as well as fostering personal and academic success that leads to economic independence. Established in 1984, Guadalupe Center is a premier, education-focused organization that delivers outstanding results: 95% of students in the nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program meet or exceed kindergarten readiness standards; 100% of students in the After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program demonstrate significant gains in reading and math; and 100% of seniors in the college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program graduate from high school and are accepted into college, with more than 94% ultimately earning a college degree. With a mission to break the cycle of poverty through education, Guadalupe Center serves more than 1,750 students annually and is generously supported by private donors, philanthropic organizations and community partners. For more information, please visit GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-657-7711.
About the Collier Community Foundation
Collier Community Foundation is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization established in 1985 to increase and focus on local private philanthropy. Today, the Collier Community Foundation manages more than 850 funds, works with hundreds of nonprofits, and has granted over $268 million to nonprofit organizations, community programs, and scholarships. Informed giving. Powerful results. Learn more at colliercf.org or call 239-649-5000.
