Laura Maxwell Turned Her Pain into a Movement (And You Can Too)

David Oaks SGNN Board Chair

Saturday, March 7

6:30 a.m.

Laura Maxwell is a woman who didn’t just survive her past, she rewrote it.

Laura’s story isn’t just inspiring.

Laura Maxwell transformed childhood pain into Called to Care, serving nearly 24,000 children across South Georgia with hope and dignity.

It’s a blueprint for how to turn your deepest struggles into your greatest mission. And if you’ve ever felt like your nonprofit is just one step away from burnout, one funding rejection away from giving up, or one “no” away from throwing in the towel… her story is for you.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Laura grew up in an environment touched by addiction. She knows what it’s like to feel invisible, to wonder if anyone cares, to face a world that seems stacked against you.

But here’s the twist: She didn’t let her past define her. She let it fuel her.

In middle school, Laura’s life did a 180.

Faith came to her house, and suddenly, the girl who once felt powerless became the girl who knew she was meant for more.

Fast forward to today, and Laura is the founder of Called to Care, a nonprofit that has served nearly 24,000 children across 22 counties in South Georgia. 

She doesn’t just hand out supplies—she hands out hope, dignity, and a fresh start.

And here’s the kicker: She’s doing it in some of the most under-resourced regions in the state.

The “Journey Bag” That Changed 24,000 Lives

The system moves fast when it removes a child from their home.

Caseworkers struggle with heavy workloads; limited funding hinders their efforts, and children frequently possess only the clothes they wear.

Laura saw this gap—and she filled it.

Called to Care provides “Journey Bags”—backpacks packed with:  A week’s worth of clothes (including pajamas, socks, and shoes)  A month’s supply of toiletries (not those tiny travel sizes—real supplies)  A pillow, a blanket, and a stuffed animal (because comfort matters)  A Bible (because Laura believes permanent hope comes from faith)

But here’s what really inspires me: These bags aren’t just about stuff.

They’re about showing kids that someone sees them.

Someone cares.

The Lesson Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Hear

Laura’s story isn’t just about what she’s built—it’s about how she built it.

She didn’t start with 22 counties.

She started with one child.

One bag.

One act of love.

And she didn’t do it alone.

When Laura first joined the South Georgia Nonprofit Network (SGNN), she was just like you—overwhelmed, under-resourced, and searching for a way to make a bigger impact.

She came for the practical tools (like how to write policies or navigate pro bono legal help), but she stayed for the community.

Because here’s the truth: No one succeeds alone.

And that’s why you need to join us at the 2026 SGNN Conference on March 12.

Why This Conference Is Different (And Why You Can’t Afford to Miss It)

Most conferences throw a bunch of speakers at you and call it a day. Not this one.

At Connect • Learn • Lead, we’re giving you:

🔥 AI for Nonprofits – How to use AI to write grants, emails, and donor thank-you’s without losing your voice (or your soul).

💰 Fraud Protection – 40 years of audit wisdom to keep your nonprofit safe (because one mistake can destroy trust).

📱 Social Media That Actually Works – No more guessing. Just proven strategies to grow your reach without spending hours online.

🏛️ Legislative Updates – What’s changing in Georgia that could make or break your funding.

Plus:  

✔️ A Chick-fil-A lunch (because even world-changers need to eat)  

✔️ A tour of Second Harvest(to see how one organization is fighting hunger in real time)

✔️ Door prizes (because who doesn’t love free stuff?)

Here’s the deal:  

📅 When: March 12, 2026 | 7:45 am – 3:00 pm  

📍Where: Second Harvest of South Georgia | 1836 Piedmont Place, Valdosta, GA 31601

💵 Cost: Just $25 (includes Chick-fil-A lunch and your SGNN membership!)

>> Grab Your Seat Before They’re Gone <<