Our Story
In 2015, a collaborative opportunity emerged to do more for children and families. Leaders at key organizations (Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Naples Children & Education Foundation, Collier Community Foundation) connected with Champions For Learning and Collier County Public Schools, and a spark was created.
How can we collectively address barriers and opportunities for all children in Collier in order to maximize our impact, and do more?
This question has led to more than 60 organizations working together to ensure every child is Future Ready, through concrete goals and strategies that are aligned and leveraged across organizations.
The Strategic Partner Steering Committee leads the overall vision and alignment of resources. Individual network partners join Action Teams focused on specific objectives. To see a list of the partners involved, click here.
What We Do
Future Ready Collier is a network of more than 60 organizations, businesses, schools and community members working to ensure every child in Collier County, Florida, is ready for kindergarten, students are supported during their school years, and every young person enters adulthood with a vision and plan to accomplish that vision.
The work of Future Ready Collier is accomplished through Action Teams with the support of Network Partners and facilitated by the Future Ready Collier Director. The seven Action Teams span from early learning to access to post-secondary education and align under the shared goals.
Backbone Organization Facilitating the Collaboration
Founded in 1990, the Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. Our Student Programs are designed to equip and prepare students for their future learning and career goals, and our Educator Programs are designed to value, empower, and support our educators to experience professional success. Recognized as the education foundation serving Collier County by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Champions For Learning serves a unique role as a conduit for students, educators, principals, schools, and the community to ensure student and educator success.
Our Goals
Ensure all children are kindergarten-ready.
- Engage families with tools and resources to support the early development of their children.
- Improve the quality of existing early childhood education providers.
- Increase the number of high-quality early childhood education spots available to low-income families.
- Identify and/or develop appropriate data indicators for early learning goal and priorities.
Ensure all youth are provided support during their elementary and middle school years.
- Provide support between early development and college & career to assure student success.
- Support access and availability of quality out-of-school activities and programs.
- Provide support to families and students to navigate opportunities and information.
- Identify and/or develop appropriate data indicators for school success during elementary and middle school years.
Ensure all young people are career-ready by graduating high school on track to obtain a degree or credential.
- Increase the % of students completing the FAFSA.
- Develop and connect community strategies to keep students engaged in school, on track for college and/or career ready.
- Provide local internships for 100% of career academy and other interested students.
- Connect students to community-based support in post-secondary experiences.
Timeline
