Immokalee, Florida

Nestled in the headwaters of the Everglades in southwestern Florida is the community of Immokalee, one of our nation’s most fertile agricultural communities. Immokalee, which means “my home” in Seminole, started out as a ranching town in the 1800’s. The farms of Immokalee produce a significant portion of the nation’s fresh produce each year, including tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, potatoes, citrus and more.Immokalee is located in northeastern Collier County, approximately 45 miles from Naples, Florida, the county seat. Immokalee is rural, un-incorporated and has been considered isolated from the coastal county both in location and social and economic demographics.

Amid the beauty and the challenges faced in this rural community the rich assets, skill and commitment of the people who live and serve in Immokalee are perhaps it’s most striking feature. Approximately 70% of Immokalee’s residents have Hispanic roots with most migrating from Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico. Only 6% are of white Anglo descent making Immokalee one of America’s unique ethnically diverse communities. Many of the social problems associated with economic poverty are prevalent in the community. Citizens face lower earned income, lower educational attainment, lower property values, higher unemployment and fewer opportunities for long-term employment than any of the surrounding areas.

Adding to the challenges of the area was a Hurricane named Wilma that hit the region on October 24, 2005 just prior to hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf. Recovery from this Category III storm is still taking place 3 years later, being lead by Reverend Rick Hears and the IHope (Immokalee Helping People In Emergency) organization who have helped over 450 homes recover, whom we will work with as well as with others committed to seeing their community prosper.

Purpose

 
To teach the spiritual discipline of servant hood and to apply the principles of Christ-centered community transformation by serving in mission work.

Sponsors
World Vision working together with IHope, One By One Leadership, Collier County Health Department, Ave Maria University, Bethel Assembly of God Church, Immokalee Nonprofit Housing, Front Porch of Florida, Friendship Baptist, Lutheran Services of Florida, Eastern Collier Chamber of Commerce.

Where
Immokalee, Florida in Collier County.

Who
Youth Groups, Congregations and Families in partnership with World Vision.