About Us
Our History
Some of the most important relationships are the result of lucky coincidences and providential decisions. After Liliane immigrated to the United States, she received support from a resettlement organization. Through that organization, a college student volunteer named Tiana was paired with Liliane to support her in navigating her new home. Around the same time, Jennifer and Tiana became friends.
After graduating from college, Tiana and Jenn were roommates with 4 other women in an intentional community in City Heights, just a few blocks from Liliane’s apartment. Part of the mission for the community included overnight childcare for Liliane while she completed her training and education.
Over the years, Liliane regularly hosted gatherings and meals, sharing her culture and food. Her home was a gathering place of fertile ground for relationships that have lasted for decades since.
A friendship that began when neither of them spoke the same language was created in the most human of ways: sharing food, laughing together, telling stories, being present with each other’s pain and joys. Even after Jenn moved back to the pacific northwest, their friendship continued with phone calls and visits.
It was during a visit in summer 2023 that the idea for this foundation and the children’s home was born. Check out our Mission section for more.
Liliane Tunda
Born in Burundi and raised in Kinshasa, Liliane spent her childhood and early adulthood in DRCongo. She earned a degree in Business from the University of Kinshasa (ISTEM) in 1991. After the civil war in 1997, Liliane came to the United States with her four children as refugees.
During more than two decades in the US, Liliane gained extensive experience in child development. Starting in 2003, Liliane worked in child development programs that served immigrants and refugees, and in 2007 began working in several child care centers that served low-income families. She received her Associates Degree in Child Development in 2019.
Liliane has family and friends who still live and work in DRC, many of whom have worked in government or have other connections that may be useful in supporting Liliane to navigate local processes and the development of the children’s home.
Liliane has a demonstrated ability to identify and respond to the unique needs of children who have experienced trauma, and develop creative interventions to support them. She has decades of experience navigating multi-cultural environments, creating and managing learning spaces for children, and understands the social, emotional, and physical needs of children from difficult backgrounds. Liliane speaks five languages fluently, and has deep connections within Congo and many surrounding countries.
Jennifer Tracy
In a career spanning two decades, Jennifer brings her background in nonprofit leadership, group facilitation, communications, project management, program implementation and evaluation, administrative policy advocacy, research methodology, equity and anti-racism practices, and data analysis to create strategic objectives that challenge and support partners in their vision and goals.
Jennifer has a demonstrated track record in leading nonprofit operations and development, creating fundraising plans, and facilitating collaborative relationships between nonprofit organizations, business, and government agencies to identify and achieve shared goals.
Using her talents in planning, organization, and communication, Jennifer supports organizations to develop clear pathways to move projects forward, with flexibility to adjust as new insights and needs are identified.
Jennifer currently runs her own nonprofit consulting firm focused on collective impact models for organizing advocacy and developing projects. She previously served as the Executive Director of the San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC) and worked as a Program Manager at Catholic Charities.
Our Support Team
Joie Samba
Liliane’s eldest son has a background in social media and marketing. Currently working on a degree in business, Joie is supporting the vision of the foundation in a volunteer capacity. Joie spends his free time enjoying the outdoors and being inspired as an entrepreneur.
Marcel Samba
Liliane’s youngest son has a background in music, business and creative design. Marcel is pursuing a degree in architecture. Marcel also loves creative outlets like singing and music production.
