Bob LaBonne Jr - Former Vice President
I was born in Waterbury CT and moved to Watertown in the second grade. I now live in Morris CT with my wife Shelley of 32 years and she is a registered nurse at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. We have 3 children ages 30-24. I’m the President and CEO of LaBonne’s Markets. We have Four supermarkets in Watertown, Woodbury, Salisbury and Prospect. I started working when I was 8 years old in the family business when we had only one very small market in Watertown CT with my father and grandfather. I am a fifth-generation meat cutter in my family. My great, great grandfather sold meat out of his horse and buggy around 1900.
I have served on many non-profits boards over the last 30 years and through our company’s Annual Golf Tournament we have supported our local food banks with over $350,000 of food. We have also contributed to hundreds of other community organizations, churches, charities and non-profits in our surrounding area.Part of my personal Mission Statement is: “I enjoy giving back and helping others, to make the world a better place; even if only, one person at a time.” I‘m looking forward to helping those less fortunate in our communities and to enhance the GPMI goals and objectives with my fellow board members and volunteers as we work further our GPMI Vision.
Renee Young - Board Member
A native of Waterbury, Renee Young enjoys worshipping at the Rock of Ages Christian Church where she serves as an evangelist, and raising her two children with husband Charles. Renee has a passion for working with people, which is demonstrated in her involvement with outreach ministry, as well as in her professional life. Renee has spent the past 8 years working for the United Way of Greater Waterbury, where she now works as the Community Impact Manager.
In this role Renee assists in coordinating and administering processes related to fund distribution and community initiatives, in addition to coordinating volunteer engagement opportunities for community and corporate partners. Prior to this Renee spent 12 years working for Saint Mary’s Health System. In her role as Manager, Occupational Health and Naugatuck Medical Walk-in Center, Renee was responsible for the day to day operational oversight for both locations, in addition to marketing occupational health services to small and large businesses within the Greater Waterbury community. Renee is hoping to utilize her professional experience and skills, along with her passion for working with people to benefit God Provides Ministries International, Inc.
Jennifer Prescod-Rehmat - Secretary
Gia M. Lawe - Board Member
Gia Lawe hails from sunny south Florida, loves New England and has dedicated her life to serving God by empowering others. Currently she is a semi-retired Education Administrator, consultant and Chaplain. She loves to sing and finds solace in helping others.
It has been an aspiration of hers, for more than two decades, to begin a mission school and church in Haiti. "The thought of being an instrumental part of helping those less fortunate, educating children and families in the way of God, academically and socially is more than amazing!" This dream is being realized. As a member of GPMI it is her endeavor to be a contributor of resources, assistance and prayers for the success and vision of this organization.
Sofia Ricciardi-Swaby - Former Board Member
Sofia Ricciardi-Swaby was born and raised in Waterbury and now raises her children in this community. Sofia graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with her Bachelors in Psychology. Sofia was very involved in her family’s restaurant business until she decided to follow her passion for helping people. Sofia graduated from Post University with her Masters in Human Services and has been giving back to her community since then. She was the assistant program coordinator at St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury for three years when she took on the position of Shelter Director for two and a half years. In May, Sofia became the Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army in Waterbury. Sofia works directly with the majority of the nonprofits who service the Waterbury community to assist in creating a better life for the under privileged, those struggling from a disability and/or the homeless population.
Sofia is committed to being a key player in establishing the future of “God Provides Ministries International, Inc. to continue her work within the Waterbury community. Sofia lives in Waterbury with her husband Keith and their two children Grace & Keith Jr. She assists her husband in his commercial & residential plumbing business, Hope Plumbing Ct. Sofia is very religious and heavily involved in her church community, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Sofia wears many different hats, but they all involve helping people become the best possible people they can be. She knows God has great plans for her and cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Delroy Paisley - Former Board Member
Delroy Paisley, born on the beautiful island of Jamaica, is a long standing Elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is currently serving in this same capacity in Waterbury, CT. Married to the lovely Audrey Paisley and together share four sons and one granddaughter.
As a tradesman, he serves the Atlantic Union College of Seventh-day Adventist in South Lancaster, MA. For more than a year, it has been his passion to assist in helping others. It thrills his soul to offer a kind word, deed and lend a helping hand. He takes great delight in ensuring those less fortunate are equipped with the necessities that are so desperately needed. It is his utmost desire, and with fervent prayer, to see those who are struggling with substance abuse and other practices realize better living. Through the power of God, they can overcome every obstacle and be free from the clutches of sin.
He has chosen to be a part of the God Provides Ministries International, Inc. because it is an organization that seeks to advance God’s cause and to improve the lives of people. As an active member of GPMI, Inc. he is confident that he will make a difference in this community, and hence, the world a better place.
