Collier County Government and Greater Naples Chamber partnered together and chose New Horizons of SWFL as the February 2023 Business of the Month. An award was presented to New Horizons of SWFL at the Collier County Board of County Commissioners meeting on February 14, 2023. 
 
Each month, the award is presented to an organization that has enhanced the community through financial, volunteer, and active involvement in organizations and programs that assist in creating a better quality of life for all citizens in Collier County. The company chosen will also be featured at the following Wake Up Naples/Chamber Conversation event. 

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners, Michael Dalby, President and CEO of Greater Naples Chamber, and Bethany Sawyer, VP of Membership at Greater Naples Chamber presented Dr. Linda M. Cunning, Executive Director of  New Horizons of Southwest Florida (SWFL) with a commemorative plaque at the February 2023 County Commission meeting.

New Horizons effectively changes the lives of under-resourced students by providing tutoring, mentoring, character and faith building at our trusted neighborhood clubs. They serve 600 students through their 7 programs in Collier and Lee counties.  

New Horizons seven educational programs provide after school and in the summer programs and services at locations near where students live and go to school. Their programs are specifically designed for socioeconomically disadvantaged students who live in homes where English is not the primary language. Students create multicultural and multigenerational relationships with volunteer tutors who work with them in small group and one-on-one learning environments tailored to meet students’ individual needs.

This is a win-win for our community!

Their volunteers, many of which are retired, have a meaningful experience in building relationships and helping our other community members, those children and youth most vulnerable in our community. They had 263 volunteers in the 2021-2022 school year, and this year they are already over 400 volunteers. 

The student accomplishments: They have served 597 students in the 2021-2022 school year. 79% of their Super Kids Club students maintained a “C” or higher grade in reading. 90% of their middle and high school students in out Super Teens Club had a GPA of “2.0” or higher. 

New Horizons of  SWFL will be acknowledged at our next Wake Up Naples event on March 29.

Register for the next Wake Up Naples/Chamber Conversation event here: napleschamber.org/wakeupnaples

Each month, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Collier County Commissioners recognize an organization that has enhanced the community through financial, volunteer and active involvement in organizations and programs that assist in creating a better quality of life for all citizens in Collier County.

The honoree is presented with a commemorative plaque at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. A photo is taken and featured in Chamber communications, the Chamber’s website and promoted through social media.