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 Patricia Bayles-Myrick, Executive Director
After moving to Hattiesburg, MS almost twelve years ago, Tricia thought her life′s purpose was to become a physician. To her surprise, God had another plan for her life. A plan that would include her resigning her position to attend Medical School
and walking down the road less traveled with faith in heart that God had her destiny in His hands. Looking back on the past five years, it is clear that God knew what he was doing. Over the span of those years, Tricia managed medical clinics, dental
clinics, assisted in the origination of a non-profit faith-based dental mission clinic, started her own financial business and began spiritually and motivationally speaking to trouble teenage girls and adult women across the State of Mississippi.
Obeying a call that Tricia believes God put on her heart when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the MS Gulf Coast, she started assisting those who were so adversely affected by this tragedy. That step of faith turned into what is now known as Foundation Hope,
Inc.; a faith-based non-profit organization assisting those affected by natural disasters. To put it simply, it is Tricia′s heart and utmost desire for her life and actions to be a light of HOPE to those who feel as if they have been forgotten.
Having gone through difficult times in her walk with God where she felt as if she couldn′t relate to God or other Christians, Tricia desires to honor God by living a life full of purpose instead of perfection, realness instead of religion and
compassion instead of competition through serving others for His glory. To put it simply, as she was taught by her pastor at River of Life Church in Hattiesburg, MS, ″If you see a hurt…heal it and if you see a need…fill it!″
It became clearly evident to Tricia that what was making the difference on the coast was unity. Neighbor helping neighbor. The last part of COMMUNITY…is UNITY, she realized one day. That in turn, spawned a desire in her heart to rekindle the fires
in the hearts of Americans through continuing to bring an awareness to the needs of those on the MS Gulf Coast by sharing this message: ″Don′t be overwhelmed by the enormity of the need when a problem arises, but be compelled by a
compassionate heart to meet someone′s need through your gifts and talents.″ She believes firmly, one person CAN make a difference and it that difference starts with a decision and culminates with commitment.
 Jason Lopes, Sr. Project Manager
Jason served in the US Army as a patriot missile launcher until he moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi a few weeks before Katrina hit. He has many years experience in building and contracting. He immediately went out of his front door after Katrina died
down and started helping his new neighbors cut trees off their property and clearing roads so the residents could make their way to safety and supplies. Oddly enough, Jason had purchased his home across the street from a very close friend of Patricia
Myrick’s and hence learned of Foundation Hope and their efforts on the Gulf Coast through this individual. Jason is definitely a Mississippi boy at heart and has all the respect and admiration from the Foundation Hope staff and the local residents.
 Ruben Garcia, Sr. Project Manager
Ruben and his family had just moved into their house the day before Katrina. He still had the U–Haul in his drive way when the mandatory evacuation was invoked. He returned after evacuating his family to north MS to find nothing left. He has resided in
Bay St. Louis for 11 years. His brothers and sisters also live and have local businesses on the coast. They all returned to ruin; no homes, no businesses, no resources. But Ruben had the desire to go out and start helping people rebuild. He has since
resigned from his family business to come on board at FH and assist those in their rebuilding efforts on the coast. He teaches soccer to local children in the afternoon and rebuilds homes during the day with FH.
 Tony Giavotella, Sr. Project Manager
Tony and his family lost all they had to Hurricane Katrina. He stayed in his home two blocks from the beach and rode out Hurricane Katrina. His wife and daughter had to relocate to Paducah, Kentucky where they still reside while Tony stays here taking care of his ill grandmother, who is 71 yrs old. He rebuilds others homes while his stands in ruin. He desires to stay on the coast where he was raised and assist those who were devastated by this storm. He is hoping that he will be able to move his family back to the coast sometime this year.
 Rosalind Jenkins, Administrative Assistant
I’m a single mother and a resident of Hattiesburg, MS. I come from a family of 3 brothers, 2 sisters, and both parents are still living. My family and I suffered greatly due to Hurricane Katrina. However, God has provided a way for us to start rebuilding our lives and now He has provided the opportunity for me to rebuild my local community by coming on board at Foundation Hope, Inc. I have known the Executive Director for 5 years and we both knew that my skills and talents as a social worker and my desire to serve would greatly benefit those adversely affected by the nation’s worst disaster. I fully enjoy restoring hope to the hopeless through the assistance Foundation Hope has provided. My future goals with Foundation Hope are to help empower and restore the communities on an economic, social and spiritual level according to Godly principles and beliefs.
 Lance Hopkins, Public Affairs Director
Joined Foundation Hope in 2006 to help people rebuild their lives and rebuild their homes after spending years in executive positions at major advertising and public relations firms.
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