IMMOKALEE CHILD CARE CENTER

A N N I V E R S A R Y C E L E B R A T I O N

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A S P E C I A L T H A N K S T O O U R M E D I A S P O N S O R

TV FILM VIDEO WEBIn Troublezone Productions

ITZ Media GroupStudio Rental

The Biggest Green Screen in Naples!4000 Square Foot Productions Studio

239-348-2739Introublezone Productions

4344 Enterprise, Naples, FL 34104www.itzMediaGroup.com

• Drive-on Warehouse Garage Entrance

• “Kino Flo” Professional Light System

• Cycloromo Wall

• Sound Booth

• Dressing Rooms

• Make-up Mirror

• Camera Operators

• HD Video Cameras

• Video Editing

• Wi-Fi Internet

• Sound Engineer Audio Equipment

• 200+ inch projector screen

I M M O K A L E E C H I L D C A R E C E N T E R

5 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y G A L AEVENT PROGRAM

COCKTAIL RECEPTION 6PM – 7PM Entertainment

The Naples Carolers

DINNER & SPEAKERS 7PM - 9PM

WELCOME Julie Accorsini, President,

Immokalee Child Care Center

BLESSING Reverend Basden,

Trinity-By-The-Cove Episcopal Church

VIDEO INTRODUCTION Valarie Bostic, Executive Director,

Immokalee Child Care Center

GUEST SPEAKERS Andrew Gonzales, ICCC Alumni David Lawrence, Jr., President of

The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation

CLOSING REMARKS Robert C. Stift, Immediate Past President,

Immokalee Child Care Center

MUSIC & DANCING 9PM – 10PM The Dazzling Del Rays

G A L A S P E A K E R S

D A V I D L A W R E N C E Distinguished Guest Speaker

• President of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, founding chair of The Children’s Trust. “Education and Community Leadership Scholar” at the University of Miami’s School of Education and Human Development, and retired publisher of the Miami Herald.

• He was a key figure in Florida’s passage of a statewide constitutional amendment to provide pre-K for all 4 year olds. He was a board member and former chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade and Monroe.

• Lawrence serves as chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida, a citizen-led, non-partisan movement to educated political, business and civic leaders - and all parents of the state - about the urgent need to make the well-being and education of our infants, toddlers and all other children, Florida’s highest priority.

A N D R E W G O N Z A L E Z Honorary Speaker

• Andrew attended the Immokalee Child Care Center in 1984-1985.

• He is a graduate of Edison State College and is currently Superintendent at the Golden Gate Country Club.

• Andrew is active in many local organizations and a volunteer at the Immokalee Child Care Center.

F I F T Y Y E A R S S T R O N Gby Patricia Caroli

O U R H U M B L E B E G I N N I N G S …It was Christmas, 1962, and Santa wasn’t making a whole lot of stops in the farm town of Immokalee. Two wonderful “church ladies” from Naples—Mrs. Jessup and Mrs. Fuller—decided to make the season brighter by bringing gifts to the children of migrant workers. As they soon found out, these children needed much more than toys.

The migrant workers often had no one to care for their little ones during the workday. Some locked their children in shacks to keep them safe, while other pulled their babies along in cardboard boxes while they worked in the fields.

This didn’t sit right with Mrs. Jessup and Mrs. Fuller. In January 1962, they related their experiences at a meeting of Church Women United and touched a lot of hearts. By spring, they had organized a benefit tea and raised $500—which was then matched by the Migrant Committee. What does $1,000 buy? Well, a glimmer of hope—and a burst of determination!

Soon community groups banded together. They located an old washhouse in the “Negro District” of Immokalee they could lease for $1.00 a year. The county offered to pay for the utilities. People rolled up their sleeves, renovating the building, and created one large room for the children, a kitchen (with donated appliances), and a bathroom. In 1964, a daycare center was born.

Hard-working parents could breathe a sigh of relief; their little ones would be safe, and well nourished. The Immokalee Child Care Center (ICCC) took in 25 youngsters that year—with a staff of two and the hearts of many more.

Volunteers did everything from cooking meals to washing laundry to sewing curtains to rocking babies and singing lullabies. While there was never a shortage of love, money was another story.

By 1967, with only $45 in the treasury, there was a great concern that the Center would have to close. But churches rallied. People stepped up. Angels dug deep. The Immokalee Child Care Center never turned away a single child.

T H E T I M E S , T H E Y W E R E A - C H A N G I N G .By the ‘70s, the “Tea” benefit was an annual fundraising event and in 1972, the Immokalee Child Care Center became a United Way Agency partner. Things were looking up. The Center was caring for 50 children. 10 years and going strong…

But in the ‘80s, due to northern crop-freezes, more growers started moving to southern Florida and many enlarged their farms. Workers soon were staying year round, and families grew.

The Immokalee Child Care Center was bursting at the seams.

A playroom, craft room, and office had been added in 1980. In 1984, with the help of grant assistance and the generosity of individuals, the Center added three classrooms, lovingly built by Habitat of Humanity. This expansion was a major turning point for the ICCC. Now it was licensed to serve 100 children—and went from basic daycare services to providing an early childhood, pre-school teaching program.

G E T T I N G T H R O U G H T H E G R O W I N G P A I N S .“The roof is leaking!” “The washing machine died!” “The A/C is on the fritz!” There was always something. Some years, government funding was lean. Thankfully, the community always stepped up—giving time, money, and elbow grease.

As the ‘80s pushed toward the ‘90s, there were more and more minds and tummies to nourish. Children were placed in classrooms according to age, and a space for infants was set up with cribs in a church across the street.

The ‘90s brought a growth spurt to the Center in so many ways, its first computer system, state-approved Child Care training and the anticipation of another expansion to support the continuing influx of children.

T H E H O U S E T H A T L O V E B U I L T .Again, angels answered the call. Thanks to a donation of 1.14 acres of land, a fundraiser for building expenses, and a pledge to cover architects’ fees, the Immokalee Child Care Center opened a sparkling new facility in 1996. That same year, a Foundation was established to ensure the Center’s operation for many years to come.

With 11,000 square feet of child-nurturing space, the new Center features 11 classrooms, a kitchen, a great room, and a large outdoor playground. There are 22 teachers, two cooks, one maintenance person, and administrative staff on premise.

A 24-hour security system is in place. But it’s not just the space that’s state of the art.

An on-site “Educating the Educators” program has helped teachers earn state certification. The Center has received national accreditation as a school for young children. The Early Literacy Program brings volunteers to read to the little ones. There are art programs, music programs, and summer-camp adventures. A voluntary Pre-K program prepares four-year-olds for school.

The Immokalee Child Care Center has even launched a cutting-edge program called S.T.A.R.T. (Science, Technology, Arts and Reading Together). And now there’s the FIT START program promoting healthy eating and exercise —and the START RIGHT program which works with parents.

T H I S I S T H E P L A C E W H E R E C H I L D R E N C O M E F I R S T .

The children at the Immokalee Child Care Center may come from humble beginnings; but here, they’re superstars.

They range in age from one month to five years old. Their hard-working parents give them their goodbye kisses as early as 6:30 a.m. and take them home as late as 5:30 p.m.

In between, these boys and girls enjoy playtime, reading and learning time, games, songs, arts and crafts, and even working with their first computers. Their busy schedule works up an appetite, so they also enjoy two hot meals plus a snack each day, and of course, naptime.

The goal of the Immokalee Child Care Center is to make sure every child has a running start at a successful life.

While the actual cost of caring for a child at the Center is about $160 a week, parents pay only according to their means. In the direst cases, most of the tuition may be covered through the generosity of others. No child in need will ever be turned away.

H O W M A N Y H E A R T S D O E S I T T A K E T O C H A N G E A L I F E ?

It takes countless volunteers. Tireless staff. Churches. Government subsidies. Corporations. Charitable grants. Event organizers, generous individuals and even celebrities who compete in the Foundation for Immokalee Child Care Center’s Annual Ditka & Hart Celebrity Golf Invitational. The Immokalee Child Care Center couldn’t be what it is without their support. Without question, ICCC is truly thankful and honored. Just look at the faces of the children you’ve helped. There’s no telling how far they’ll go. But they’ll never forget where they got their start.

S P E C I A L T H A N K S

DR. DON & BEVERLEY VINING

Their dedication to the Immokalee Child Care Center has been an integral part of its growth and success over the years. We are truly thankful for their devotion.

Thank You to…

The Susan K. Lennane Family Fund for their generous donation

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm ... As you

grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One

for helping yourself, the other for

helping others.”

AUDREY HEPBURN

5 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y G A L A S P O N S O R S

We extend a special thanks to our devoted supporters who’ve helped make this event

possible. We are honored by your generosity.

Robert C. & Patricia D. Stift

FINEMAGAZINE

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Immokalee Child Care Center, Inc.

415 Colorado Avenue

Immokalee, FL 34142-4034

Tel: (239) 657-4130

Fax: (239) 657-4435

Email: info@immokaleechildcarecenter.org

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE:

3775 Airport Pulling Road N, Unit B

Naples, FL 34105

Tel: (239) 261-1774

Fax: (239) 261-9134

Email: info@icccnaples.org

www.immokaleechildcarecenter.org

Financial Support

for the Imm o k a l e e C hild Care

Cen

ter

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE IMMOKALEE CHILD CARE CENTER

Established in 1996 to provide an endowment fund for ongoing financial

support for the Immokalee Child Care Center. Its goal is to help continue the Center’s mission:

To serve the Immokalee community by providing exceptional educational

programs and the highest quality

childcare.

A S P E C I A L T H A N K ST O O U R T I T L E S P O N S O R