How it all began...
In January of 2012, I dedicated my life to Jesus. After a lifetime spent searching for meaning and purpose in all the wrong places, I finally hit my knees and surrendered. With no idea where this new journey was going to lead me, I closed my eyes and took a leap of faith. What happened next was nothing I ever envisioned my life to be.
After surviving an abusive marriage and divorce, I was sitting in church one day begging God to give me purpose. He showed me a vision. In the deepest part of my heart I heard Him whisper, "You're going to build a foundation." I laughed. I hadn't the slightest idea what a foundation was, let alone how to build one. But, day by day, year after year, God has been showing me how. Not just through education, even though that has definitely been a small portion of it, but mostly through building my character. I had to surrender my will for His. I had to give up my way to partner with His. I had to humble myself so He could renew my mind.
As a daughter of the Most High, I have learned throughout the years that my destination is not a place, but a journey. My purpose is not a title, but a will to serve. And most importantly, I am happy to say that my new identity is found in Jesus Christ.
I named this foundation "The GOD Foundation" because I never wanted to make it about me. This is God's Will and His endless supply of grace and mercy. I am simply a disciple here to speak life into the broken and show them just how much God truly loves His children.
After surviving an abusive marriage and divorce, I was sitting in church one day begging God to give me purpose. He showed me a vision. In the deepest part of my heart I heard Him whisper, "You're going to build a foundation." I laughed. I hadn't the slightest idea what a foundation was, let alone how to build one. But, day by day, year after year, God has been showing me how. Not just through education, even though that has definitely been a small portion of it, but mostly through building my character. I had to surrender my will for His. I had to give up my way to partner with His. I had to humble myself so He could renew my mind.
As a daughter of the Most High, I have learned throughout the years that my destination is not a place, but a journey. My purpose is not a title, but a will to serve. And most importantly, I am happy to say that my new identity is found in Jesus Christ.
I named this foundation "The GOD Foundation" because I never wanted to make it about me. This is God's Will and His endless supply of grace and mercy. I am simply a disciple here to speak life into the broken and show them just how much God truly loves His children.
All About Laura...
It all started in 2004 when Laura went on a mission trip to San Narciso, Belize, with her church. She volunteered at a small school when she was only 19 years old and realized Belize would become her life's mission.
This planted a seed for not only for ministry, but also to became a teacher. It inspired her to advocate for the educational needs of children in high-risk environments and burned a desire deep within her to support these children in their own educational endeavors. Her goal is to make education more accessible beyond the eighth grade. Belize requires tuition for high school students. Many cannot afford this. This has since led to her developing relationships with the local community, both personally and professionally. She became engrained with the local education system and a member of the Belizean families. Her love for the community has brought her back to Belize every year since. When she is home in the United States, she develops trainings and content for teachers, administrators, and parents while also helping to plan the next mission trip.
In 2022, she became aware of the mental health crisis effecting the student's inability to grow and develop beyond middle school and successfully graduating high school. This was when she began praying and searching for an answer.
His response came in 2024 when she met Jessica, and their two missions became one. Together, they charted a course to build and develop a community center that would offer tutoring services to children, provide scholarships to those who remained committed to education and volunteering to help their younger peers.
Her mission isn't to try to solve this community's problems, but rather to help them learn how to build stronger, lasting relationships with each other and effectively support student learning to ultimately improve their lives, their family's lives, and the community involvement.
This planted a seed for not only for ministry, but also to became a teacher. It inspired her to advocate for the educational needs of children in high-risk environments and burned a desire deep within her to support these children in their own educational endeavors. Her goal is to make education more accessible beyond the eighth grade. Belize requires tuition for high school students. Many cannot afford this. This has since led to her developing relationships with the local community, both personally and professionally. She became engrained with the local education system and a member of the Belizean families. Her love for the community has brought her back to Belize every year since. When she is home in the United States, she develops trainings and content for teachers, administrators, and parents while also helping to plan the next mission trip.
In 2022, she became aware of the mental health crisis effecting the student's inability to grow and develop beyond middle school and successfully graduating high school. This was when she began praying and searching for an answer.
His response came in 2024 when she met Jessica, and their two missions became one. Together, they charted a course to build and develop a community center that would offer tutoring services to children, provide scholarships to those who remained committed to education and volunteering to help their younger peers.
Her mission isn't to try to solve this community's problems, but rather to help them learn how to build stronger, lasting relationships with each other and effectively support student learning to ultimately improve their lives, their family's lives, and the community involvement.
Where to go from here...
Click on the links below to find out more about how to give, local resources available for those in need, and who TGF's partners are.
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to learn more about The GOD Foundation. The GOD Foundation is a nonprofit, grantmaking public charity whose purpose is to provide funding to unrelated organizations, institutions, and individuals for charitable purposes constituting women and children affected by trauma and addiction.
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to learn more about The GOD Foundation. The GOD Foundation is a nonprofit, grantmaking public charity whose purpose is to provide funding to unrelated organizations, institutions, and individuals for charitable purposes constituting women and children affected by trauma and addiction.
