To Inspire Strong Families & Communities

As the President of TIS Foundation Mrs. Irono has spent the last 25 years dedicated to community assistance; raised $3.1 million in donations; and provided 10,000 children support each year through food pantries, school supplies and clothing donations. In DC, she provides help for DC locals in need through programs such as: Workforce Development Programs, Food Drives, Annual Toy Drives, Educational Programs and Entrepreneurship Assistance.  She has established the TIS Foundation Awards that will provide scholarships for the next 10 years to five Historic Black College and Universities.    Mrs. Irono participates annually in the United States OPM's Combined Federal Campaign  to support African children and families with food, clothing, medical treatment & school supplies and support orphanages, hospital and schools with grants.  Mrs. Irono focused her efforts on a welfare to work program to help under-employed people learn work skills and find gainful employment in order to support their families.

TIS is tackling issues in high-poverty communities in the United States. Our family and youth-centered initiatives are focused on filling gaps in critical community services necessary to move families from crisis to stability and growth, including community outreach, education, youth development initiatives and workforce development programs. Our goal is to leverage innovative industry partnerships to create seamless pathways to economic opportunity by connecting low-skilled workers to jobs, and offering skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities while addressing their most critical support needs.

TIS has brought purpose and hope to some of the most impoverished and underserved individuals in low-income United States communities and rural African communities – most especially women, children and
youth. We are developing a new generation of women entrepreneurs,
providing skills training for jobs in emerging industries, and educating
deserving children. Since inception, TIS has raised over $3.1M in cash and
material donations to provide critical support services to over 10,000 children and youth every year.  

Through the collaborative efforts of families in the United States and Africa, TIS is a charitable organization with a mandate to feed those who are hungry, provide clothes, healthcare, equip schools with educational tools, shelter those who are homeless, and provide entrepreneurship training, capacity building, and seed capital to lift families and youths out of poverty. 

Programs include:

1. Food Bank/Drives
2. Entrepreneurship Development Centers (EDC)
3. Educational Materials
4. Clothing Drive
5. Mental Health and Medical Services

TIS Foundation believes in serving the whole community and in addressing the service gaps that impact positive engagement and advancement for low-wealth families. Through our Community Outreach Drives we are responding to COVID-19 emergency needs and providing families with the resources they need to live safe and productive lives. Each year, TIS Foundation reaches over 1,000 families providing food, toys, gifts and educational supplies through its Community Outreach Drives. TIS Foundation is establishing a network of distribution and training centers in local churches through its community and faith-based coalition to provide essential services:

1. COVID-19 Relief Drive
2. Food Drives
3. Toy Drives
4. Entrepreneurship Development and Training

We need resources in terms of funding, human capital including volunteers, supplies, infrastructure and so many thing to bridge the incredible gap in underserved populations that seem to be growing every day.  As has been rightly noted by many, the world ha never been this rich and yet we see such an incredible number who are very poor.  We must all join hands to do something about it.

 I feel that with the success that I have found, my true passion is to give back to others.  TIS Foundation was started 25 years ago with the belief that we can uplift those in greatest need through service.  Our programs and services provide a hand up, not a hand out.  We volunteer for and support programs led by resident in underserved communities who know the struggles of those around them and have the best insights into effective solutions.  TIS Foundation continues to join these selfless local heroes in creating opportunity and transforming the lives of children and families in need.

I have been very fortunate in travel to many counties in the world and see the struggle of the underserved communities. I strive to see the transformation that even the smallest efforts can make in someone else's life.  By serving this greater mission to eliminate economic and social inequality across the globe, we can each do our part to change the world.

I have learned to embrace the reality that I am an influencer, but I'd rather think of myself as someone who is simply trying to lead others, especially mu children and other young people, by example.  I now understand that the number of people watching what we do and the ability to make one phone call or send over email or text can help those in need, provide access to vital resources and open doors that otherwise may have been closed.  As a family, we remain committed to going back as much as we can, not just with money, but with our time because we have been blessed with so much.  That is a principal that we are trying to instill in our children.  This is so much need and suffering around the globe and I'm just trying to do my part to make a difference.

One of the most challenging experiences I've encountered this far in my life was when we experienced a devastating fire at TIS Foundation Headquarter's in Washington, Dc, a place we share with my husband's business MOTIR.  The fire wiped out everything and we had to start over.  The hardest part was finding the emotional strength to fight our way back from the loss that effected our entire team.  Thankfully, no one was physically harmed and today our international headquarters stands as a beacon of hope on East Capitol Street blocked from Capitol Hill.

In addition to addressing the basic needs of women like food, health and education, we are helping them to develop into entrepreneurs.  We are very proud of the fact that through training, start-up grants and mentoring, we have been able o give women, like those affected by Boko Haram who have virtually nothing, a new start in life. We believe that they are the foundation to the future of the family and that's why we are committed to investing in them.  We are deeply grateful to our partners at the Central Bank of Nigeria and Bank of Industry for their generous investment in our work.  Equally, our work with faith-based food panties makes all of the difference in feeding families that number more than 400 people a day.