Guadalupe Center has earned its fifth consecutive five-star rating from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, the only preschool in Collier County to earn five stars every year since 2015.

Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program serves more than 300 students ages 6 weeks through 5 years old, culminating with a Pre-K program that sees 95% of graduates meet or exceed Florida’s kindergarten readiness standards.

The Coalition’s “Southwest Florida Stars” program is a voluntary rating system, similar to an accreditation, in which child care providers allow evaluation teams to examine three primary areas: learning environments and classroom interactions; screening, assessment and curriculum; and professional development and staff qualifications.

“Earning a five-star rating for five straight years means our team is hitting the mark year after year, and that consistency is why graduates of our program fare so well once they reach elementary school,” said Guadalupe Center President Dawn Montecalvo. “To accomplish our mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education for the children of Immokalee, we must start early with a strong foundation so that children are prepared for success by the time they reach kindergarten.”

The Coalition evaluates child care providers in Collier, Lee, Hendry and Glades counties through on-site visits and data collections, awarding five-star ratings to child care programs that offer safe, high-quality learning environments.

Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children, in addition to the Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE). The Florida Department of Children and Families recognizes Guadalupe Center as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program.

The waiting list to enroll in Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program exceeds 500 students, and the Center recently announced plans to expand the program with a new campus in Immokalee’s Jubilation neighborhood that can accommodate an additional 64 students. Guadalupe Center currently is raising money to support operations for the new facility.

Guadalupe Center helped 24 Immokalee High School graduates prepare for college life with a shopping trip to purchase essentials for their dorm rooms.

The students, part of the college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program Class of 2019, visited Target to purchase linens, cleaning supplies, lamps, luggage and other items for their residence halls. Then they traveled to Best Buy, where they bought electronics, flash drives and other school supplies so they’re well-equipped when college classes begin in the fall.

Employees from Target and Best Buy joined Guadalupe Center staff members to help students select items within their allotted budget.

“This opportunity really means a lot to me because it takes a huge weight off my shoulders,” said Francisco Brito. “I’m pretty much set for school in terms of supplies. This past year has been really difficult for me, but I have a great support system with the Guadalupe Center, friends and family.”

Brito, who was diagnosed with leukemia last summer, will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University and plans eventually to become an oncologist.

The Tutor Corps shopping trip has become an annual event for graduating seniors and is generously funded by longtime supporters Brynne and Bob Coletti, who donate funds to help “level the playing field.” Guadalupe Center serves low-income students who live in rural Collier County, and most do not have the basic necessities to live away from home.

Tutor Corps is a college preparatory program that provides Immokalee High School students with mentors, academic guidance, scholarship assistance, financial literacy and wages for tutoring children in Guadalupe Center’s educational programs.

In addition to funding the Target and Best Buy shopping trips, the Colettis also provide each student with a gift card to host a pizza party at their college dorm as a means of getting to know fellow students.

“This shopping trip was an opportunity to get a head start on my college life by providing me with the college essentials I would not have had otherwise,” said Karen Reyes-Santos, who will attend North Central College in Illinois. “I am grateful for the generosity I have been shown. It will help facilitate my move to an out-of-state college.”

About Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center is a purpose-driven, nonprofit organization with proven results in creating endless possibilities for the students of Immokalee through education and fostering personal and academic success that leads to economic independence. With a focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through education, Guadalupe Center is proud of the children’s accomplishments: 95% meet or exceed kindergarten readiness measures, 100% of Tutor Corps high school seniors graduate high school and are accepted into college, and more than 92% graduate with a post-secondary degree.

More than 420 students attending Guadalupe Center’s Summer Enrichment Program and Early Childhood Education Program received free dental screenings through a program funded by the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) this summer.

One by one, children climbed into exam chairs in July to have their teeth and gums examined by dental hygienists and residents from the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry, NCEF Pediatric Dental Center. In addition to screenings, the students also received cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, as well as instruction about proper techniques for brushing and flossing their teeth. Children with severe oral problems are referred to a local dentist.

Dr. Scott Tomar, a professor in UF’s Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, said dental clinics in lower-income, rural communities like Immokalee are especially important to ensure that children receive preventative dental services on a regular basis. Children face a series of barriers in seeing the dentist, including cost, transportation and the lack of pediatric dentists in the area.

The UF College of Dentistry’s outreach team set up pop-up dentist offices at Guadalupe Center as well as Immokalee’s Pinecrest Elementary School, home to Guadalupe Center’s Summer Enrichment Program. Initial screening results show that more than half of students seen in the summer program had untreated tooth decay, and nearly one in six students was identified as having an “urgent dental need.” Clinic staff notified parents whose children had severe pain or infections so they could schedule appointments with a local dentist.

UF’s pediatric dental team visits Guadalupe Center’s year-round Early Childhood Education Program four times a year for screenings, treatments, education and referrals for 270 children.

“This program is critically important for our students because many of their families do not have the means to make regular visits to the dentist office,” said Dawn Montecalvo, president of Guadalupe Center. “With the assistance of our community partners, we were able to bring the dentist office to them.”

Another barrier is attitudinal, Tomar said, because visiting the dentist often has a negative connotation, especially for children.

“They may only go to the dentist if something hurts, and then they’ll have a tooth taken out,” said Tomar, who helps coordinate the NCEF Pediatric Dental Center. “The idea of bringing a child to the dentist office before there’s a problem is not a familiar concept.”

As part of the clinic’s education program, dental staff show children how to take care of their teeth and gums to avoid problems in the future.

“I learned that you need to brush your teeth every day,” Amelia Gonzales said after her visit. “If not, then you’re going to get cavities in your teeth.”

About Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center is a purpose-driven, nonprofit organization with proven results in creating endless possibilities for the students of Immokalee through education and fostering personal and academic success that leads to economic independence. With a focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through education, Guadalupe Center is proud of the children’s accomplishments: 95% meet or exceed kindergarten readiness measures, 100% of Tutor Corps high school seniors graduate high school and are accepted into college, and more than 92% graduate with a post-secondary degree.