The Heights Foundation is set to break ground on a new $42 million technical training center in South Fort Myers next month.
"When I grow up, I would like to be a book artist, because ever since I started doing drawings, my drawings have been getting better and better," said student David Leon Hernandez.
David loves to do things with his hands, whether it's drawing or fixing things.
"Well, my dad works in construction. He is really good at his job. He knows how to do everything," David said. "He works really hard to keep, to keep me and my sister from not going hungry, having a roof over our heads and keeping the electricity on."
David already knows the hard realities of families in Harlem Heights, where many live below the poverty line. Education is the key to breaking free, but not everyone can afford a college degree.
"A lot of kids in this community and a lot of kids in Lee County are not going to go to college, nor should they necessarily. It is not for everybody. And so that's why we started looking into a career tech," said Heights Foundation Founder Kathryn Kelly.
The Heights Career Tech Institute will be built on the corner of Pine Ridge Road and Gladiolus Drive in the heart of the Harlem Heights community.
"On the first floor are all the hard labs. So we'll have two welding labs, AC, plumbing, electrical appliance repair; and then also marine engine repair and automobile engine repair. And those are all on the first floor, the hard labs," Kelly said. "And then on the second floor is all of our health care disciplines."
The nonprofit Heights Foundation is about to break ground on this $42 million technical institute to guarantee its charter school students meet the demand for skilled workers. Business owners are already lining up.
Kelly said she heads business owners saying, "I need people. Who are you graduating? I need people in HVAC. I need, I need plumbers. Who are you graduating? I need them, and so really, for us, that gave us the confidence."
The institute will complete the mission of the Heights Foundation to build self-sufficient families so that students like David can get a good job, just like his dad.
Groundbreaking for the tech institute is next month. They hope to welcome students next year.
They raised more than half of the money needed to open but are still looking for donations and hope to partner with local businesses that need their graduates.
Visit the Heights Foundation website to learn more or to donate.