About Us

Mission

Sandy Springs Mission exists to help and inspire students from the Sandy Springs community. A faith-based, 501(c) 3 community organization, we provide year-round academic enrichment and spiritual development programs designed to transform the hearts and minds of our students. This creates a lasting legacy for their families, too.  We believe education leads to new opportunities and hope for bright futures.

Vision

Sandy Springs Mission exists to create a community where all Latino students graduate from high school empowered with the life skills necessary to make wise decisions in life. Whether they go on to college or directly to work, graduates of Sandy Springs Mission will be equipped with the tools they need to be successful.

Our story

Small beginnings

Sandy Springs Mission began in 1999 as a program serving disadvantaged families living in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

Over the years that followed, Sandy Springs Mission adjusted its focus to address the immediate need of lowering the high school dropout rate among educationally at-risk Latino children in the community.

Leadership

Felix Lora took up leadership of Sandy Springs Mission. Felix is a bilingual, ordained minister. Like the students he serves, he’s experienced the first-hand challenges of living in another country: Attending school meant subjects are taught in your second language.

Growth

With 12 students, Sandy Springs Mission brought on volunteers to assist students in completing daily homework assignments. The organization also started adding weekly Bible studies to the tutoring schedule.

Exceeding expectations

Today, Sandy Springs Mission provides year-round academic enrichment, life skills, and leadership programs to students attending local Sandy Springs public schools. With more than 260 students and their parents enrolled across a variety of diverse programs, we’re creating a legacy of hope for these families and the Sandy Springs community.

Follow the growth of Sandy Springs Mission.

Leadership

Felix Lora

Executive Director

Abigail Lora

Director of Programs

Melissa Roché

Program Manager

Board of Directors

Chris Frederick is on the Board of Sandy Springs Mission.

Chris Frederick

Board Chair,
Director at Bennett Thrasher

Robert Daniel

Treasurer,
Managing Director at Regions Bank
Larry Baugh is on the Board of Sandy Springs Mission.

Larry Baugh

Founder of Baugh & Associates, LLC
Meet Noel Barnes, member of the Sandy Springs Mission Board.

Noel Barnes

Senior level executive and licensed Georgia CPA
Alex Diaz is on the Board of Sandy Springs Mission.

Alex Diaz

President of La Cena Brand at Diaz Foods
Nathan Hines

Nathan Hines

Meredith Malac

Meredith Malec

Major Donors

We’re so grateful for the local businesses that have partnered with us. Their giving has helped us keep our doors open and serve more Latino students and families in the Sandy Springs area than ever before.

The Sandy Springs Society

Sherrill & Hutchins

Bennett Thrasher

Church of the Redeemer

Mount Vernon Baptist Church

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

Mission. Possible.

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