Dear Friends,

I am thrilled to share an exciting new initiative in our journey of building strong, self-sufficient families in The Harlem Heights neighborhood: The Heights CareerTech Institute.

Our mission has always been to empower individuals and families in Harlem Heights through education and opportunity. Today, over 85% of Harlem Heights’ young adults have earned their diplomas. Many of them will become part of what is now called the “Toolbelt Generation,” choosing technical certifications as a pathway to success.

The post-secondary Heights CareerTech Institute is our next step in this progression. Located on the corner of Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road, the two-story, state-of-the-art facility will serve over 500 students each year, not just from Harlem Heights, but all of Lee County.  Our industry-credentialed courses will provide pathways to high-paying, sustainable careers, directly supporting the economic growth and vitality of Southwest Florida.

The Heights CareerTech Institute will be more than just a school – it will be a place of opportunity, a bridge to self-sufficiency, and a beacon of hope.

Together, we will create a strong and sustainable workforce for our region, ensuring families thrive for generations to come.

Thanks to the generous support of our community, we have raised over $27.5 million toward our goal of $42 million. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality. Now, we invite you to join us in bringing this dream to life. Your support will help us achieve even greater milestones for our community.

To learn more about this transformational project, please contact me at kathryn@heightsfoundation.org or (239) 482-7706.

With gratitude,

Kathryn Kelly

Founder/President/CEO, The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center

May 2025 Update

Dear friends,

We have started construction!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Project Total: $42 million.

  • $27.75 million has been raised.
  • $14.25 million left to go.

A heartfelt thank you to our supporters and our Steering Committee for their incredible leadership and dedication. Your belief in this project is bringing it to life!

CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN!
Our General Contractor, Owen-Ames-Kimball (O-A-K) is on site!

  • The site has been cleared and grubbed.
  • Dump trucks are arriving daily with fill dirt. A total of 150,000 yards is needed.
  • A project sign is now proudly posted at the corner of Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road.

LEGAL & CHARTER PROGRESS
The Heights CareerTech Institute is now an officially registered business in Florida.
We are completing paperwork to apply for our 501(c)(3) designation and tax-exempt status.

INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (IAC)
Our Industry Advisory Committee is professionals and business owners with expertise in the disciplines we’ll offer at HCTI. We’ve held our first meeting and will continue building this vital committee to ensure our programs are industry-aligned and future-focused.

LOOKING AHEAD
With construction officially underway, the momentum is growing! If you know someone who may be interested in supporting or learning more about this transformational project, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Together, we’re building a strong future for Southwest Florida.

CareerTech Steering Committee Members:

Dede D’Arcy
Tom Dunham
Jim Dwyer
Scott Fischer
Gary Griffin
Al Hanser
George Heisler
Chuck Ketteman
Tom Lytton
Jim Pigott
Brian Rist
Susan Scott
John Talmage
Penny Wilkinson
Lorraine Wright

Click Here to Contact Kathryn Kelly
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