Lipman donates $3M to migrant children education center

Lipman Family Farms, Immokalee, Fla., has presented a check for $3 million to the Redlands Christian Migrant Association’s Immokalee Community Academy. The donation represents the single-largest one-time private gift made to RCMA in its 47-year history, according to a news release.

“We are delighted to support RCMA, a dedicated organization that provides quality childcare, education and resources to children in the Immokalee community in Florida, a community that feels like family to us,” said Jaime Weisinger, director of community and government relations for Lipman Family Farms. “We look forward to seeing how RCMA will use these funds to positively impact the education and welfare of the children of our community."

This is the largest donation to any single organization made by Lipman Family Farms, a longtime supporter of RCMA. The gift will support efforts to expand RCMA’s charter schools throughout the state, including a new campus in Immokalee, Fla., according to the release.

“We are grateful for the commitment that Lipman has made with us to support our shared community,” Isabel Garcia, executive director of RCMA, said in the release. “Their generous donation is a historic one for our organization and a reflection of Lipman’s commitment to the families and future generations of Immokalee.” 

Since the establishment of their first two child care centers in Homestead, Fla., in 1965, RCMA has grown to 71 centers in 21 Florida counties. Serving the rural poor, most centers serve children of Hispanic immigrants working in the community, representing nearly 86% of the 7,600 students served, the release said.

Through generous donations, RCMA has continued to broaden its range of programs. Its Early Head Start centers accept infants as young as 6 weeks old and after-school programs serve children ages 6-16.

In honor of their many years of partnership, RCMA’s new campus in Immokalee will be named Lipman Family Campus for Children and Families. A groundbreaking for the campus is scheduled for May 25.