GoodHeart | Dream Big Foundation officially launches with worship experience
Funds to support mentorship, empowerment, and education initiatives
Published:Saturday | June 7, 2025 | 12:11 AM
In an effort to officially launch their foundation and raise vital funds, the Dream Big for Youth Foundation hosted its first major event – the Sounds of Victory gospel concert – last Saturday at Gospel Refuge Tabernacle UPC on Barbican Road, St Andrew.
The free event, powered by an all-youth executive team, drew a vibrant crowd and generated over $200,000 in contributions through sponsorships, donations, and special offerings.
The concert wasn’t just a fundraiser, it was a carefully curated worship experience, chosen to reflect the foundation’s core values.
“We chose a worship experience because we didn’t just want a fundraiser and a launch, we wanted a space for people to come and worship God freely,” said founder and lead volunteer Antoine Lodge.
He went on, “One of our values is faith and we believed that a worship experience would be ideal for that. It was about creating an atmosphere that reminded people why dreams are worth fighting for, even in difficult times.”
That atmosphere was delivered through a powerful lineup of gospel ministers, including Khorus with a ‘K’, Gavin McDonald, Ramona Ricketts, and Jodi-Ann Palmer, among others, who led attendees in spirited worship and praise.
Beyond its immediate impact, the concert also laid the groundwork for the foundation’s long-term goals. The funds will support ongoing empowerment and mentorship programmes, with a portion earmarked for two memorial scholarships aimed at helping students transition from primary to secondary school.
“The two scholarships are deeply personal to us. They are named in memory of two incredible women whose lives and values continue to inspire us; Angella McLeod, my aunt who brought me to Pentecost, encouraged and spoke life into me when I was a troubled child, and Antoinette Dixon, my church sister, and the late mother of our senior volunteer, Michael-Paul Dixon, who played an integral role in the upbringing of both of us,” Lodge shared said, noting that the two women were both passionate about youth and education, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and service.
“Establishing these scholarships felt like the right way to honour their memory while creating real, lasting impact. We want every recipient to feel seen, supported, and reminded that someone believes in their potential,” said Lodge.
Now officially launched, the foundation is looking to expand its impact in the months ahead.
“In the coming months, we’ll be rolling out a series of youth development workshops focused on personal growth, career readiness, and our goal is to create consistent, impactful programming that empowers young people to dream boldly and take action. So yes, definitely stay tuned. The Dream is alive, and we’re on a mission to make it count,” Lodge highlighted.