About

About Us

Population Served

Population Served

The Laurel Foundation serves at-promise youth, including transgender / gender-diverse youth, youth at risk of HIV, low-income youth, foster youth, youth from marginalized communities, and their families. Together, we celebrate our unique strengths, find joy in connection, and nurture each person’s extraordinary potential. The Laurel Foundation serves youth (6-17) from all over the United States.

Purpose

Purpose

The Laurel Foundation creates vibrant communities where vulnerable youth discover their authentic selves. Through cost-free year-round mental health support, education, and development programs, The Laurel Foundation’s mission is to empower children, youth, and families to thrive in environments built on trust, integrity, and mutual respect. 

Vision

Vision

In a world that too often seeks to erase, we stand firm in our commitment to embrace. The Lauren Foundation creates spaces of true belonging for at-promise youth and their families. Through authenticity, joy, and community, we empower those we serve while upholding integrity and respect. Through transformative experiences and programs, we cultivate resilience, celebrate

Goals

The Laurel Foundation is a comprehensive provider of educational and support programs for children, youth and families living with HIV/AIDS, transgender youth and other at-risk youth populations. We serve over 500 low-income, at-risk participants annually.

The Laurel Foundation’s programs tackle the emotional and social challenges at-risk children and youth face by constructing environments that support the mental and physical welfare of the participants. Our programs give participants the tools to build self-sufficient, productive, healthy lives.

  • Health

    To improve mental and physical health through various year round educational and support programs

  • Education

    Educate youth on the consequences of at-risk behaviors while at the same time providing the knowledge on how to make healthy life choices

  • Life Skills

    Develop the skills and qualities necessary to build an independent, successful, self-sufficient life path

  • Balance and Compasion

    Introduce balance and compassion into participants lives by impelling them into experiences that show they can rise above the adversities they face, make more of their lives than they thought possible, and learn to serve others with their strength

Who We Are

Board Members

Mark Moralez (he/him)
Chair of the Board

The Printing Palace CEO

Mischa Haramia (she/her)
Secretary

Henderson Engineers Entertainment Practice Director

Margot Anderson (she/her)
CEO

Founder / CEO
The Laurel Foundation

Joe Cristina (he/him)
Resource Development

HIV Activist  

Ines Nasri (she/her) Resource Development

WebPower USA LLC Head

Dr. Shindale Seale (she/her)
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

CEO- SEADE Coaching & Consulting LLC

Natalie Sofer (She/Her)
Resource Development

Owner- Natalie Sofer Weddings and Events

Lisa Stangl, (she/her)
MSN, CPNP
Medical Director

HIV Specialist - UCSD Mother, Child and Adult HIV Program

Staff

Margot Anderson (she/her)
(Maverick)

Founder / CEO

Eliot Dowens (he/him)
(Cricket)

Director of Volunteers

Lisa Stangl, NP (she/her)
(Paddle)

Medical Director

Lorenzo Diaz (he/him)
(Kidney Bean)

Camp Director

Bryan Thornton (he/him)
(Astro Bunny)

Bryan aka AstroBunny (he/him)

Chelsea Alvarez (she/her)
(Kermit)

Head Counselor - Camp Laurel

Daniel Tadeo (he/him)
(Renegade)

Head Counselor - Camp Laurel

Jordan Held LCSW (he/him)
(Mr. Mermazing)

Mental Health Director
Camp Mulberry

Kaylie Murphy (she/her)
(Love Bug)

Head Counselor - Camp Mulberry

Badly Licked Bear (she/they)
Moonwatcher

Program Director/Camp Mulberry

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