Giving back was always something Mariajo Uribe wanted to do. After winning the 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur she found herself in the position to do exactly that.
“The idea of giving back was always appealing to me, so me and my family decided to start the foundation,” Uribe said. The FORE foundation was created in December 2008 with a focus on creating educational and extracurricular activities for children in her home country of Colombia. “A lot of the kids don’t have anything to do in their free time, we want them to have the opportunity to build a better future,” Uribe said. FORE’s centers offer children access to tutoring, English lessons, sports and the arts.
The first project for the foundation has been the creation of a special needs school for children up till fifth grade because Colombia does not offer these special programs in public schools.
“We were able to build a new school for them that could fit all the kids more comfortably,” Uribe said. “All the kids in the school get 80% of their tuition covered by FORE foundation and other sponsors.”
Since it’s launch, Uribe says funding has been challenging but not all needs are monetary. Sometimes just providing those in need with the proper contacts is enough to get them the help they’re looking for. “I have been able to use all my golf contacts to help others, it just takes one phone call,” Uribe said.
Coming off one of her best seasons on Tour, Uribe says her continued success is the key to be able to keep helping those in need. “Hopefully my career keeps growing to be able to make the foundation as big as we dream of.”
Uribe is the recent recipient of the Kia Community Assist award, which recognizes LPGA Members all season long who are volunteering in their community.
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