Legacy THE STORY OF YOUR IMPACT ON YOUNG LIFE’S DEVELOPING GLOBAL LEADERS PROGRAM
Dedicated to Joe and Michelle Laboon and Family
. . . W H O E V E R S O W S G E N E R O U S LY W I L L A L S O R E A P G E N E R O U S LY . – 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6
Dear Joe, Michelle, and the entire Laboon Family You are a rare and precious gift. Your model of generosity is unrivaled – beautiful, unique, and certainly one of the most directly impactful gifts the DGL program will have ever received. Your financial gift is tremendous but it is your passion, love, and commitment to pray for the students you sponsor that is a wonderfully powerful testimony and the most generous gift of all. What began in the fall of 2016 with one gift to support a DGL student has grown into a tapestry of generosity weaving together countless stories of changed lives. As you know, these DGL students not only earn a university degree, they also walk alongside young people in their own communities and share the love of Jesus. All of them are the first in their family to have the opportunity to go to college, and you have made that possible. The photos and stories on these pages tell a story of the blessing you’ve ushered into each of their lives. For each individual, there is a family and a community and a nation that is changed because of your faithful response to the Lord. This is what legacy looks like ... what you've planted will flourish for generations. Thank you, Mr. Joe and Michelle, for bringing God’s Kingdom to life ... on earth as it is in Heaven. To God be all the glory, – The DGL Team, 2026
(as of 10/2026)
CURRENT STUDNETS
HAITI
Andronique Denaud Maxot Edel Business Administration Civil Engineering
Widley Souffrit Business Administration
Ralph Stanley Etheart Administrative Sciences
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Melissa Zamy Nursing
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Crismeily Salcedo Laysha De La Rosa Business and Economics Education
Starling Santiago Lopez Modern Languages
Roberto De Jesus Physical Education
Steisy Peralta Bueno Physical Education
Luz Marte Abad Educational Guidance
Yeraudy González Reyes Tourism and Hospitality
(as of 10/2026)
GRADUATES
HAITI
Indy Edouard Economic Sciences 2021
Judith "June" Chavannes Gordon Jean Baptiste Medicine Education 2023 2024
Julianart Obas Business Administration 2025
Kechlor "Kech" Louis Agronomy 2022
Sadamise Papoute Computer Science 2025
Tabael Toussaint Accounting 2025
Servilien Charles Public Administration 2024
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Wolphline "Wolie" Saintil Worlkentz Massenat Administration Sciences Science Education 2019 2025
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Alberly Tejada Nursing 2024
Ana Altagracia Cuevas Valdez Medicine 2026
STORIES, MESSAGES, AND LETTERS FROM YOUR STUDENTS
ANDRONIQUE “NICKY” DENAUD Lascahobas, Haiti Business Administration State University of Haiti Expected graduation date: 2029
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Good evening!! I am Andronique Denaud, a second year administration student. I am always happy whenever I get the chance to write for the ministry or to address myself and my donors. But today, I am even happier because I am writing to speak to Joe Laboon. I want to say a big thank you for the support you are giving us today so that we can reach good condition and establish our professional lives. I ask God to continue to watch over you and your family. I take your willingness to support us as a source of motivation so that I can always continue to work and support the ministry in every way possible form. Words fail me to explain to you how happy I am and how I see the great support you are giving us today. Rest in God. Peace. The students love you very much. Andronique Denaud
ÉDOUARD INDY Port-au-Prince, Haiti Economic Sciences Universite Notre Dame d’Haiti Graduation date: 2021
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How has the DGL program changed your life?
My son, Carl-Indy and me!! I send this picture to my Spiritual Father, Mr Joe. A good Father. God Bless You More.
If you allow me, I would rather say that the program transformed my whole life. First I became someone who communicates with God every day through prayer. I also learned to be forgiving, thanks to your prayers, everything I do I invite God. Before I didn't do that. There is also a great man who contributed to what I have become today. Without his generous gifts, I would have had to become a wanderer and vagabond. I have never had the opportunity to thank him face to face, but I hope that one day I will, and it is this person who gives me strength, motivation to work with young people in my neighborhood, to pray with them, to study the Bible and to preach to them the good news of Jesus Christ. This person's name is Mr Joe, I have nothing to offer him for his generosity to me but I work hard in the club I run with my leaders. Finally, the program has made a great investment in me, because I will never stop seeking other sheep for God and making the gospel my workhorse according to the Book of Matthew chapter 28 vs. 19.
MAXOT “MAX” EDEL Jeremy, Haiti Civil Engineering University La Renaissance d'Haiti Expected graduation date: 2027
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Words of Apreciation to Joe Laboon I greet you with deep respect and gratitude. I want to say a heartfelt thank you for the support you are giving me in my studies. Your effort, your generosity, and the trust you place in me never goes unnoticed. You are truly an instrument God is using to open doors for me, and I thank you with all my heart. I pray that God will protect your life, bless you in everything you do and continue to strengthen you and fill you with grace so you can make an even greater impact in the ministry. The work you are doing is a work of the Kingdom and it is a blessing to many lives. As for me, I am committed to continuing to work for the ministry to use everything I am learning so I can serve better, and to become a living testimony in God’s hands. May God continue to work with you, guide you and let His light shine on every step you take. Thank you very much, and God bless you. Edel Maxot
JULIANART OBAS Delmas, Haiti Business Administration Universite Notre Dame d’Haiti Graduation date: 2021
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It is true that at this time we are going through a major crisis in Haiti, but that does not stop me from continuing to advance. I work as the second administrative officer in Institution Coeur de Marie, a classical school from kindergarten to high school. I also teach a course called citizenship education, a course that helps children understand their rights, duties, and responsibilities in Haitian society as citizens. I am not yet married. I am still in my church choir and have great responsibilities, I am a director of a club in Young Life.
2022
2026
“First of all, I would like to thank you Joe, because you have invested in the lives of many young people in Haiti where they had no one, thanks to your help in our lives, this has helped many young people redefine their lives in Haiti. May God always bless you and help you pass the trials life has put on your path. For me, the work you have done in our lives will continue to move forward so that you are always proud of the people you have helped. May God bless you, I love the person you are and THANK YOU.”
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MASSENAT WORLKENTZ Lascahobas, Haiti Science Education Université Autonome de Port - Au - Prince Graduated 2025
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Massenat Worlkentz E-mail: worlkentzm@gmail.com Port au Prince, Haiti To the attention of Young Life Haiti Developing Global Leaders (DGL) November 28, 2025 Subject: Letter of Gratitude and Commitment Dear Sir: I am writing to you with all my heart to thank you very much for all the support you have given me during my study path. Without your help, without your prayers, without your love, today would not have been possible for me. Thanks to you I am majoring in educational sciences, and I am committed to continuing to serve the Lord faithfully in the ministry that is Young Life Haiti, which He has placed me in. I believe this is the beginning of what God is doing through my life for this generation. May God continue to bless you, expand your boundaries, and renew your strength every day. It is He who makes you last on earth because you are a person of importance in the ministry. I will remain faithful to the work He has set before me, with respect, determination and gratitude. With all my respect, once again my God continue to bless you. Massenat Worlkentz
EMMANUELLA (EMMA) JEAN Delmas, Haiti Business and Economics Université Quisqueya
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Though Emma was raised in the church, she did not understand her need for God. During the year of her father’s death, Emma was invited to Young Life camp and truly heard the Gospel for the first time. That experience gave her hope, knowing that she was no longer alone in her struggles; she sought God for direction and committed her life to following Jesus. She has a strong faith and a desire to be an example and friend to youth in her community as a Young Life leader. Although circumstances caused her to leave the program, Emma has a heart to make a difference in the lives around her as a servant leader, and desires to work as an example of integrity and respect in her community.
PAPOUTE SADAMISE Hinche, Haiti Computer Science Episcopal University of Hinche Graduated 2025
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Dear: Donor Joe Laboon I greet you with immense gratitude in the name of Jesus the Almighty. Today, I write to you with a heart overflowing with gratitude and immeasurable pride for the invaluable support you have given me by funding my tuition. This is not just financial aid assistance, but a crucial investment in my future, and it means the world to me. When I received the news that I had been accepted into the DGL Program, an immense weight was lifted from my shoulders. I had struggled with deep anxiety about my ability to continue my studies, and you appeared like a bright light in my darkness. You instilled in me hope and motivation to continue pursuing my dearest dreams. I am committed to giving my best to achieve my goals. Education is the key to my future and you are an essential pillar on this journey. I aspire to one day give back myself. I sincerely thank you for your generosity and the kindness of your heart. Your kindness will forever be etched in my soul. May God richly bless you and your entire family. I thank God for placing you in my path, especially for me and so many other students in ministry. May the Lord shower you with blessings and continue to be an instrument of change for those in need. We pray that God will grant your family even more love, health, and prosperity just as He has granted you. May God’s peace and grace remain forever in your life, especially for our beloved donor, Joe. With all due respect and gratitude, Papoute Sadamise
KECHLOR "KECH" LOUIS Port-au-Prince, Haïti Agronomy Episcopal University (UNEPH) Graduated 2022
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Sponsor Joe Laboon, I wish this message to be filled with joy, strength. I am taking a pen to express all the gratitude I have for you. Often we have people in our lives who make us better but we don't have enough words to express how much we have appreciated them. I want to make you a friend because you are important to us, you are valuable to us. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me. You decided to pay for my university for 5 years. This gesture is a simple one, it is a sign of love and it is the love of God in 1 Corinthians 13. This is priceless. Thank you very much, you helped me continue with my education and today I am an agronomist. Every time I make progress that is useful to my community, I remember you. I can't imagine all that you are going through. But I want you to know one thing! YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS BATTLE. I ask God every day to send you healing and comfort. May you find peace and tranquility. May God continue to watch over you, "The Lord will sustain the sick on their beds; He will comfort them when they are sick and in pain." Ps. 41:3 With all respect, friendship and gratitude, Kechlor LOUIS
Kechlor Louis has his own YouTube channel dedicated to agronomic and environmental matters. www.youtube.com/@Ing.agronomekechlorlouis
RALPH STANLEY ETHEART Mirebalais , Haiti Administrative Sciences El Shaddai International Christian University Expected graduation date: 2027
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Letter of Gratitude to my donor Joe Laboon
my city l life, r th e ritua i p s y l l fo y a i m c , d e me r m e an d esp by ar . ay fo is t r y p ie d se p r n u t ly a i c e n l c m a P o y un d ich is ie s , m u ab o y stud balais wh s b le s ire God of M May . s p grou
It is with immense joy and profound gratitude that I write to you today, dear donor Mr. Joe Laboon, to thank you for the studies you have funded for many students, and especially for me, Ralph Stanley Etheart, a second year (second semester) student in the DGL Program in Haiti. Mr. Joe, words fail me to express my gratitude for all you have done for me thanks to you. I was able to enroll in university and, God willing, I will complete my studies. May God, in His infinite grace, grant you a long life and robust health to continue your mission, and may He shower you with His love and that of your family. Please accept, Sir, the expression of my sincerest regards.
SIMEON PAULAINE Hinche Center of Haiti Communication Episcopal University of Haiti Left program 2025
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Good morning everyone, my name is Simeone Paulaine. Today I am taking this opportunity to send words of thanks to our donor, Joe Laboon. Thank you for your support during my study cycle. I am very proud of you. I wish you health and a long life. May God, in your (sic) infinite love, continue to bless and guide you throughout your life and may (sic) continue to support the ministry. Thank you, I love you.
TABAEL TOUSSAINT Tabarre, Haiti Business Accounting Université Inuka Graduation: 2025
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Dear Mr. Joe Laboon I want to thank you sincerely for your support and generosity. Thanks to your help, students like me in Haiti have hope, motivation, and a chance to succeed. Your contribution is making a real difference in our lives May God bless you and continue to guide your steps, to always keep the ministry. I will continue with my work by your side. With gratitude Tabael Toussaint DGL...
2026
Life in Haiti and the Dominican Republic brings many challenges, and unfortunately, some students you sponsored were unable to complete the DGL program. When a student leaves the program, their sponsorship funds are redirected to support current students. Please know that your generosity was deeply valued and significant for these young people who had to drop out of the DGL program. We trust that God used your generosity to make a difference in their lives that has shaped who they are today.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Ruth Esther Martinez Sterlin Cabrera Yorvin Pascual Ronald de Jesus Alejo Leon Scarlin Ortiz HAITI Emmanuella (Emma) Jean Flodina Pierre Jacques Tony Dameus Jerry Schneider Desrosiers Judnel Caneus Monnety Francois Paulaine Simeon Ronaldjy Saint Germain Jeff Guerrier
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EPILOGUE
YOUNG LIFE DEVELOPING GLOBAL LEADERS
DGL is Young Life’s best opportunity for leaders to advance their education, remain active in local ministry, and develop skills to become biblically-trained professionals shaping the future of their communities.
HOW DGL WORKS Potential DGL scholarship recipients are nominated by international Young Life staff as promising leaders who have what it takes to succeed academically and in ministry. DGL students are sponsored by individuals or groups who fund their DGL scholarship. A full sponsorship provides: Full-ride 4-year university scholarship Young Life ministry and leadership training expenses Stipend to cover living expenses Sponsored DGL students attend university full time in their own country and volunteer at least 20 hours a week as a local Young Life leader. A full DGL sponsorship is $250/month for 4 years (total $12,000)
M I L E S T O N E S *as of 2026 DGL is represented in 90+ countries of the 115 countries where Young Life has active ministry. Young Life Developing Global Leaders has celebrated over 1,200 graduates since its inception in 2009. Most DGL students are the first in their family to attend university.
dgl.younglife.org