FOUNDER/PRESIDENT

As the President of Hope and Grace Foundation Michelle Mendez has been actively involved in the community of Palm Beach County since the early 2000’s. Her passion to make a difference and impact lives gave her the urgent desire to seek out ways to help! Michelle graduated with a Batchelor’s degree in Alternative Medicine from Everglades University and received her certifications in ministry foundations and leadership from Christian Leader Institute. She has had extensive experience in helping individuals that have faced or are in the middle of a hardship crisis. Michelle and husband Reggie Williams have been married and waking with the Lord since their teenage years. They have been blessed to have a son and daughter that share their values, honor the Lord and love serving families and communities. Michelle and her family had a calling to move to Costa Rica where they lived for several years, restoring hope into orphans’ life’s, mentoring at-risk youth with leadership skills and planting churches throughout the country. Over the years Michelle’s devotion has grown stronger for those in dire need. Michelle’s awareness of her ability to help and make a difference has made her relentless in the pursuit of her vision to support and see small to midsize nonprofits reach their full potential. She states, “we are giving these nonprofits a way to share the vision they have always had for the people they serve and an opportunity to receive funding to finish the good work they began.” Michelle now owns a brokerage company called Platinum Preferred Realty based out of Lake Worth which has been serving families and building strong relationships over years. As a leader in her industry Michelle’s core belief is together, we can honor The Lord through the act of generosity and restore hope in broken lives.

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VICE PRESIDENT

Dr. Norman Wise brings over 30 years of nonprofit knowhow with him to the Board of Hope and Grace Foundation as a co-founder, Executive Director of Living Water Counseling.  He has also served as Director of Communication and Counseling for Coral Ridge Ministries, Senior Pastor of First Church West and Pastor of Counseling at Reveal Fellowship and works with Calvary House helping addicts in recovery. He has a B.S. in Education and B.A. in Biblical theology from Geneva College. He received his Master of Divinity and D.M. from Knox Theological Seminary. Coming from a troubled and dysfunctional home, causes him to have real empathy for people either suffering from abuse from others or addicted to destructive life patterns. He believes he was called to serve Jesus Christ when at 16 years old The Lord used him to bring the leader of a gang to profess his faith in Christ. The basis of his ministry and 5 published books is that the Spirit of the LORD is upon him to bind up the brokenhearted.  He believes that while we are worse than we think we are, God in Christ loves us more than we could ever imagine. The core of his counsel is found in developing a healthier life story based on the love of God found in Christ Jesus, which allows us to change the emotional states that are driving us into destructive actions.  He brings decades of experience in teaching people how to live sane, stable, sober, and spiritual lives. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of Hope and Grace Foundation; to be involved in changing the outcomes for multiple nonprofits at the same time by infusing them with much needed funding is an incredible event to witness.  To be asked to be an integral part of the Foundation that will be disbursing these funds is humbling and I am excited to see what NEW outcomes the nonprofits we are helping will have now.”

TREASURER

In 1983, David Baldwin graduated from George Mason University with an accounting degree. In 1989 David became a partner in Rice and Baldwin, LLP until his partner’s retirement. David continues to practice under his firm, David J Baldwin, CPA, PLLC. In 1993, David embraced the Lord when a friend encouraged him to read the Book of John. After reading the Book of John, David grasped in his heart who Jesus is. The impact of Jesus was so profound that David has read the Bible every day since. He brings a wide range of experience to Hope and Grace Foundation as he has served in various ministries: including helping children with special needs, aiding homeless people, ushering, assisting in discipleship programs, youth ministry, co-founding a faith- based golf ministry, serving in Church United, and the founder of Love Church, Inc., a discipleship ministry. David has authored six faith-based books to guide readers to align their lives for God’s will and glory. David’s mission is to encourage people to live the life that God has created them for so that they will one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” When asked his thoughts on becoming a Board Member for The Foundation he shared, “My heart breaks for those who have broken hearts. Finding out that Hope and Grace is pursuing to help the Homeless, Human Trafficking Survivors, Orphans, Children and At-Risk Youth; I knew I had to become involve. Accepting a position on their founding Board of Directors is an honor and I am grateful to be a part of the Foundation.”

SECRETARY

As a Hope and Grace Foundation Inc. board member, Krista brings with her over 20 years of experience working with children and at-risk youth. Her compassion and empathy for those struggling in the educational system led her to work in several different capacities in the Palm Beach County School District, including a special education teacher and then administrator serving elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the District. Krista’s extensive background in education and School Psychology allowed her to assist thousands of children and their families; including those dealing with learning/behavior difficulties, homelessness, drop-out prevention, juvenile delinquency and the courts, suicide awareness, and many other issues involving our youth of today. Krista is also a mother of three, including her oldest, a junior in college and twin toddlers.