Unable to ignore a homeward yearning, Michelle decided to return to Belize in 2009 to volunteer her time with a global charity that had an upcoming event in Belize City. During her time volunteering, a young boy approached her one day asking for money because he was hungry. After talking to the young boy and giving him some money to eat, she knew in that instant that home was where she would one day want to spend all of her volunteering time.
Over the next year, Michelle’s interaction with the young boy replayed endlessly in her mind as if the memory was stuck on repeat like a beloved song. What Michelle took away from this phenomenon was an unflinching resolve to go back home to Belize and make a change in young children’s lives. With no money to embark on such an ambitious journey, she reached out to close friends to assist her on her mission. With a steadfast determination to make this mission a success, Michelle faced many tough obstacles along the way, but was able to persist in forming her foundation.
In 2010, New Love Foundation was officially formed in Belize City. Not having any knowledge of how to run a non-profit organization, Michelle decided the best way to learn was by DOING, so she started holding small charitable events in the city of Belize. Focusing her efforts first on a small community in Belize City, Michelle began helping children enroll in school while providing vital financial aid to their parents so they may register their children for enrollment.
However after operating successfully for two years, New Love faced a financial crisis that forced Michelle to put the school assistance program on hiatus until she could secure additional operational funding. Undeterred and driven to turn things around, Michelle in time persevered and was able to get New Love’s financial footing back on two feet.
Without missing a beat, Michelle continued to organize charitable events in Belize City; one of which was a prominent clothing drive, now held every two years that brings families together from all around Belize City. Michelle also began holding an annual Christmas party for the local children’s schools, which has swiftly become a very popular affair. In addition to her organizational duties at New Love, Michelle also volunteers at some of the local primary schools and the Belize Central Prison for women on her yearly trips to Belize.
In February 2015, New Love Foundation’s base of operations was relocated to the SPEAR Building in the City of Belize, to operate their offices and programs more effectively. In the interim as the building was being prepared, Michelle and her Board members sat down to revise the charity’s mission and their vision for its future.
With their new facility complete, New Love Foundation’s renewed purpose is to ensure their community’s many young children all have an opportunity to develop their talents and gifts. With our faith in God, New Love Foundation will not stop assisting these children and their families until a secure and lasting change has occurred within the community.