Ohana, no one gets left behind

Mission Statement:

 the mission of the Joel Lawrence Foundation is to help to provide a loving supportive home to children living with HIV/AIDS and to provide education and testing in our community to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS. 

About Us

The Joel Lawrence Foundation came into existence after the death of my son, Joel Lawrence.  Joel came to me as a foster child in 2002 with behavioral problems and the AIDS disease.  Prior to entering my life, Joel was abandoned by his adoptive mother at Shands Hospital for a period of 18 months.  Joel was not at Shands due to complications of AIDS, but due to no one else wanting to care for him.  Joel never wanted anyone to go through life the way he had to, so he asked me to please help other children from suffering from HIV/AIDS.  Joel died from complications of the AIDS virus in 2006.  My mission and the mission of the Joel Lawrence Foundation is to help to provide a loving supportive home to children living with HIV/AIDS and to provide education and testing in our community to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS. 

            The Joel Lawrence Foundation was organized in 2006.  Our 501©(3) status was approved in the early part 2008.  The foundation initially began fundraising efforts and some outreach services with the ultimate goal of having a Community Outreach Project that will reach people in Volusia, Flagler, Lake and Seminole counties.  The foundation also has the long term goal of raining enough funds to open the Joel Lawrence Foundation House in Volusia County.  This house would be a safe and stable home for children and adolescents with diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Community Outreach

The Community Outreach Project will deliver services to any person in the community, but will focus on the adolescent population, young adults, and senior citizens. We will provide  free HIV testing,educational groups to foster caregivers, nursing home staff ,school staff and the community.