History of the Immokalee Child Care Center

Long before sociologists presented sufficient proof of the formative importance of a child’s early years, a group of dedicated women in Naples banded together to provide a positive, caring place for the disadvantaged children of Immokalee.

Back In 1963 before the Immokalee was starting to grow, as a farming community 40 miles from Naples , children were left alone in shacks or placed under palmetto trees, while their parents worked in the fields.

The Church Women United of Naples decided to remedy this unacceptable situation. Through instinct and compassion, these women provided and delivered food baskets while lobbying the Collier County Commission. Their efforts resulted in the creation of the not-for-profit Immokalee Child Care Center.

The original center was modest – an old open wash pavilion. With volunteer help, the pavilion was revamped to include a large room, kitchen and bathroom. By 1980 the need had grown so great that a playroom, craft room and office were added, followed by three additional classrooms in 1984. With the later expansion, the primary focus of the center changed from merely custodial care to and early childhood teaching program.

With area populations exploding, it became clear by the 1990’s that the center once again needed to expand. Following the donation of 1.14 acres in downtown Immokalee, the Board of Directors established a building fund. In July 1996, the new Immokalee Child Care Center opened its doors. This 11,000 square foot, $1.2 million facility is comprised of 11 classrooms, multi-purpose room, modern kitchen, laundry room, reception, lobby, administrative office and playground.