FOR Lakeland

In 2016, Somos Church was founded with a mission to be a church that exists FOR Lakeland. While it’s often easy to see what an organization is against, Somos Church wanted to be known for what it supports—schools and local businesses, the foundation of a thriving community. For nine years, Somos worked to bridge the gap between businesses and schools by serving administrators and students through handwritten letters, serving meals, volunteering for events, and coaching sports.

In 2025, FOR Lakeland was officially established to address one of the most pressing challenges in our community: the emotional health of individuals impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). FOR Lakeland stands in the gap for middle school students, providing spaces for them to unlock their potential to grow through coaching, mentoring, and education.

Mission:

“We believe every person deserves the chance to reach their full potential in learning and leading. We create spaces for people to receive the care they need that supports how our brains are designed. Through coaching, mentoring, and educating we help people unlock their potential to grow.”

Vision:

“We believe the foundation of thriving communities are homegrown individuals who give back to the community they call home. We envision a future where the most formative years of a middle school student’s life are also the most life giving. A future where the local middle school becomes a community center that inspires learning and leading in a student’s life. A future where the cycle of Adverse Childhood Experiences is broken because families have the support and care they need.”

Innovation

“Making a way when there seems to be none.” We value the creativity and desire to see obstacles and dead-ends as opportunities to think differently and find a way through.

Compassion

“Connecting to who people are and what they need.” We value the care and kindness it takes to know people’s stories as a way of meeting them in their needs.

Resilience

“Staying the course after a bump in the road.” We value the grit and determination to overcome bumps in the road to press onward to the goal set before us.