Naples Children & Education Foundation
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Nov. 272022

Pablo Braida, MS

Pablo Braida is a consulting Sommelier working for Monarch Restaurant in Dallas. He grew up in the small town of Cordoba, Argentina, and after a brief career in accounting he decided he wanted to see the world. Work in hospitality led him to London, where he first discovered the world of fine wine. In 2015 he moved to Napa Valley and immediately began his path into the Court of Master Sommeliers. In 2022 he passed the Master Sommelier examination, becoming the first Argentinian, and second South American, to achieve the title of Master Sommelier.

News Archives

This year’s Meet the Kids Day presentation highl

This year’s Meet the Kids Day presentation highlighted four incredible women who, through the help of #NCEF funded programs and services with their own perseverance, became invincible, powerful, confident and unstoppable!
Paloma – a teenager whose life and family were turned completely upside down with the loss of her mother to COVID-19. Enrolling at Pace Center for Girls @pacecollier for continued counseling and #academicsupport set her back on to the path of success.
Amanda – a young woman whose first trials were faced at the young age of seven through her abusive mother. She was connected to @youthhaven and lived there until going off to college where she succeeded and continued to pass her Bar Exam and become an Assistant State Attorney.
Ramona – a caring mother who faced losing her daughters when she had no one to #care for them while she received multiple treatments for her life-threatening medical issues. A safe place was offered by @btogetherorg allowing her the time she needed to heal and refocus on her future.
Mackenzie – a #collegestudent whose life was uprooted following her mother’s passing and further isolated when the pandemic hit and she was forced to grieve in isolation. A #school counselor connected her to @valerieshouseswfl where she learned to process her #grief and move on with her life.

We are proud to invest a record of nearly $25.6 Mi

We are proud to invest a record of nearly $25.6 Million in local organizations supporting underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County! This year, a total of 39 organizations received traditional grants, plus 10 additional agencies that help fill critical needs in the #community by taking part in NCEF’s multi-partner, multi-year strategic initiatives focusing on the well-being of the whole child. Initiatives receiving funding include early learning, healthcare, hunger and out-of-school time, plus a special mental health initiative. NCEF's unique approach, which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community, one issue at a time. Click the link in our bio to read the full press release.
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#NCEF #NWWF #Naplesfl #Naplesflorida #CollierCounty #MarcoIsland #Immokaleefl #SWFL #Southwestflorida #FLorida #Nonprofit

Happy first day of spring! May happiness and abund

Happy first day of spring! May happiness and abundance find you this season. Spring is all about a fresh start! #spring2023

Happy Sunday! Today is international Read-to-Me Da

Happy Sunday! Today is international Read-to-Me Day! Celebrated every March 19 across the world, today we remember the importance of reading books to children. Reading to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding. It helps them develop language and listening skills and improves cognitive skills and aid in cognitive development. #readtomeday
#internationalreadtomeday

Collier County Public Schools recently announced t

Collier County Public Schools recently announced the graduation rate for high school seniors who were in foster care. Reaching a record-breaking 78 percent, this far exceeds the national average of 50 percent.
Of the 78 percent, the students who were in NCEF beneficiary Friends of Foster Children Forever’s tutoring program achieved a 100 percent graduation rate. Foster children face some of the greatest challenges in our community. On any given day there are more than 300 foster children in Collier County. They have been removed from their homes due to their parents’ abuse, neglect or addiction. @ffcforever Academic Mentors help to break the cycle through education, providing one-to-one tutoring and guidance.
Maria Jimenez-Lara, NCEF CEO stated, “We share in the excitement and pride of this incredible achievement!” Jimenez-Lara continued, “From the time this project was presented we knew that providing consistent and positive academic support for children in foster care would be the key to long term achievement and success. The graduation rate shows that children facing difficult challenges are amazingly resilient and can succeed when given proper tools, such as educational and emotional support.”
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #beneficiary #program #support #graduationrate #fosterchildren

This wine Wednesday we want to thank our corporate

This wine Wednesday we want to thank our corporate partners for their generous support throughout the years, allowing the Festival’s continued success since its inception in 2001. To learn more about each sponsor and corporate partner, visit napleswinefestival.com/sponsors
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#Naplesfl #NaplesFlorida #NCEF #NWWF #SWFL #Partners #CollierCounty #NaplesWinterWineFestival This wine Wednesday we want to thank our corporate partners for their generous support throughout the years, allowing the Festival’s continued success since its inception in 2001. To learn more about each sponsor and corporate partner, visit napleswinefestival.com/sponsors
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#Naplesfl #NaplesFlorida #NCEF #NWWF #SWFL #Partners #CollierCounty #NaplesWinterWineFestival

March 13th marks the birthday of Riesling wine! Th

March 13th marks the birthday of Riesling wine! The date references the first written evidence of the Riesling grape: an invoice dated March 13, 1435. Found in cellar log located in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Whether you like them dry or sweet, Riesling wine is a constant crowd pleaser, and the perfect combination of the chill of winter and the warmth of spring. #rieslingwine #riesling #Winelove #wine

Following its proud tradition, NCEF will invest ev

Following its proud tradition, NCEF will invest every dollar raised under the tent in local organizations and strategic initiatives that provide Collier children with the services and resources they need to excel. We are preparing for our Grant Awards Ceremony, taking place later this month. We are honored to have @Wintrust Banking Center as our Grant Awards Ceremony Sponsor. Thank you!
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#NCEF #NWWF #NPO #Sponsor #ThankYou #Naplesfl #Naplesflorida #Awards #SWFL #wintrustbank #Wintrust #colliercounty

Happy International Women's Day! We are so proud o

Happy International Women's Day! We are so proud of the successes the women in our community have achieved! And applaud our amazing NCEF/NWWF staff, —women make up for 85% of it! Let’s celebrate International Women's Day!
#internationalwomensday
#internationalwomensday2023 #community #NCEF #NWWF #Naplesfl #Naplesflorida #WomensDay

The children pictured here represent a small porti

The children pictured here represent a small portion of those that have been positively impacted by NCEF’s Healthcare Initiatives. Through the funds raised for Fund a Need, #CollierCounty children will have increased access to crucial healthcare services such as primary care, dental exams, mental health support and vision screenings. On behalf of the NCEF Trustees and staff, we’d like to thank everyone for their support of this year’s Fund a Need “Healthy Mind, Body & Soul.”
Your support aids in our goal to ensure Collier County children’s Mind, Body & Soul are care for!
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#NCEF #NWWF #NWWF23 #itsALLforthekids #FundANeed #support #donation #healthcare #impact #Naplesfl #Naplesflorida #NPO

An all-star roster of celebrity chefs, world-renow

An all-star roster of celebrity chefs, world-renowned vintners and elite sommeliers shared their talent throughout this year’s celebrations, while an army of volunteers ensured that the Festival ran smoothly from start to finish. We are so grateful for everyone’s support! #ItsALLfortheKids
Photo Credits: Jonah Hinebaugh, New Ground Photography, Lane Wilkinson.
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#Naplesfl #NaplesWinterWineFestival #NWWF #NWWF23 #Naplesflorida #Winemaker #Winery #Winelove #Wine

One month ago, patrons of the Naples Winter Wine F

One month ago, patrons of the Naples Winter Wine Festival gathered at NCH Business Center to “Turn Up the Volume” and tune in to some truly ‘unstoppable’ youth. Attendees had the chance to meet NCEF’s traditional beneficiaries and strategic initiatives and learn about the remarkable programs they bring to Collier County. Children that benefit from these services amplified the setting in their colorful tie-dye t-shirts made by fellow NCEF beneficiary, @theableacademy newest business venture, ABLE Ink which teaches individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities much-needed life and career-ready skills.
The morning culminated in perfect pitch with a presentation led by participants from @opera_naples performing “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” The presentation included moving stories from four guest speakers along with a moving video offering a deep dive into this year’s Fund a Need focus, NCEF’s Healthcare, Mental Health, Oral Health and Vision Initiatives.
#ItsALLfortheKids #NCEF #NWWF #NWWF23 #MTKD #support #partners #nonprofits #CollierCounty #Naplesfl #Naplesflorida