Our Vision
Every baby born will have access to the necessities, experiences, and relationships they need to flourish from birth.
Our Mission
Brains are built, not born. We are a 501c3 that provides out-of-school learning & enrichment experiences; resources like clothes, books, and toys; parent support; as well as service referrals to Laurel & Jones County families with children ages 0-10.
Our Programs
As a brand new nonprofit, we are still very much in the start-up phase of work, but here are three of our first programs that we believe will support children with young families in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi. By providing books, educational enrichment opportunities, and parenting support to new families and caregivers we will ensure that our community’s children thrive from the very beginning. Eventually we’ll grow to support children past age 5, but we’re starting with the early years for now. Read more about our initial programs below!
Meet our Board Members
Tiffany McElroy
Dr. Tiffany McElroy is originally from Clarksdale, MS. She received her bachelor’s from Mississippi State University and doctorate from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. She is a member of the AOA and MOA where she is serving as chairman of the Grassroots Committee. In 2020, she was voted Jones County’s Best Optometrist and was also the recipient of the 2020 Helen St. Clair Young Optometrist of the Year Award. In addition to serving on the board of Nurture Our Future, she is also a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Laurel Main Street, and Laurel Arts League.
Mary Ousley
Dr. Mary Caskey Ousley is a 2010 graduate of Millsaps College, where she received her Bachelor of Science in biology. She then received her master’s degree in biomedical sciences before going on to complete her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2019. In addition to serving as a board member for Nurture Our Future, she also is a member of the American Dental Association®, the Mississippi Dental Association, the Mississippi Association of Women Dentists and the Laurel Area Dental Association and the Junior Auxillary of Laurel.
Felicia Jackson
Ms. Felicia Jackson is the Assistant Executive Director of the Laurel Housing Authority
Daphne Johnson, Board Treasurer
Mrs. Johnson graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a BS in Business Administration. For ten years she worked in public accounting and is currently an accountant with Chancellor. She has served as the treasurer for Laurel Arts League, and as an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church as the Kindergarten Sunday School teacher in Laurel, MS.
Heather Brown
Mrs. Brown is a summa cum laude graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in Communication and an emphasis in Public Relations. She is the Marketing Director at Magnolia State Bank and responsible for the bank’s branding, marketing and advertising strategies and production. She also serves on a number of local committees and boards, and sponsors and coordinates many local events through her work with Magnolia State Bank.
Dyon Ruffin
Mr. Ruffin is a Coach at Friends of Children Head Start. He has worked as an early childhood educator, and has a degree from Alcorn State University. He is a native of Laurel, MS.
Elizabeth (Biz) Harris, Board Chair
Mrs. Harris graduated from Washington and Lee University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Poverty and Human Capability. She also graduated from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology Mdiv and a concentration of Church and Community Leadership. She currently leads the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance Executive Director and is working to ensure that all of Mississippi’s early childhood systems are state of the art and accessible to all children. She has also worked as the Director, Communications and Engagement for the Tallahatchie River Foundation, Director of Alumni Leadership with Teach For America, Mississippi Delta Region.
Emily Nowell, Board Secretary
Mrs. Nowell graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in Mathematics with minors in education and psychology. Previously she worked as a high school mathematics teacher and has worked in the oil and gas industry as an expert in title and title curative for the past decade. She currently serves as a co-owner and manager at Marcella Investment Group, LLC. and co-owner and VP Operations at Laurel Mercantile Co.
Hillary Steinwinder
Mrs. Steinwinder graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in Communication and Studio Art. Previously she worked as Vice President of Education and Public Programs at Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art in Nashville, TN. She currently works as a Curator of Education at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. She has served as the City Wide Art Competition Chair for Laurel Arts League.
Sarah Rice
Mrs. Rice graduated from William Carey University with a bachelor’s of Arts in Music. Previously she worked as a student music therapist with children with special needs. She currently works as a librarian at the Laurel/Jones County Library. She additional serves as a youth leader for Christ’s Church of Laurel.