In Their Own Words: Keely O'Donnell-Boyd
Jennifer Friend
Project Hope Alliance
CEO
Project Hope Alliance’s mission is to end the cycle of homelessness, one child at a time. They deploy a long-term model of care for youth experiencing homelessness in Orange County. They have full-time case managers who work alongside youth to eliminate barriers brought on by homelessness that could impede their ability to learn and succeed in school. The team builds trusting relationships with students and offers individualized support in the form of transportation, technology, basic needs, and social-emotional mentorship from Kindergarten to age 24.
Jennifer Friend is PHA’s CEO. She is a proud UCI alum, and currently serves on the board of trustees for UCI. Jennifer grew up experiencing homelessness as a child herself in Orange County, and knows firsthand what PHA’s students are going through. After graduating from UCI undergrad and Whittier Law school, she became a successful trial lawyer. 10 years ago she stepped down from being a lawyer and answered what she calls her “life’s greatest calling” to become PHA’s CEO.
This Thanksgiving, Project Hope Alliance is providing food and grocery store gift cards to the families and youth they service. Join them by donating at
projecthopealliance.org/thanksgiving 2021
Jack Toan
Illumination Foundation
COO
At Illumination Foundation, we believe that every person has an intrinsic right to home, health, and dignity. Our mission is to disrupt the cycle of homelessness in Southern California by providing a comprehensive safety net of client-centered services for the most vulnerable individuals, families, and children in Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. Illumination Foundation goes beyond just housing people who are experiencing homelessness—from street to home, we provide a full continuum of care and resources to bring people the support they need.
As a refugee whose family relied on the kindness of strangers, Jack understands first-hand the power of a collective community who cares and actively works to lift others up. His experience drives his belief in creating social change through action. In February 2021, he joined the Illumination Foundation as the Chief Operating Officer to help the organization disrupt the cycle of homelessness. Jack has responsibility for the entire operations of the organization including shelters, housing and all infrastructure needs. Prior to his current role, Jack had an 18 years career in corporate social responsibility at Wells Fargo as the Vice President and Manager of Community Relations. He managed the company’s volunteerism, community development programs and oversaw more than $10M of the of the company’s charitable giving program in the Southern California Region.
His current commitments to the community include serving on the Advisory Board of the Mix Academy, Board of Directors for UCI Alumni Association, and Asian American Futures. Jack is an appointee to the Orange County Commission to End Homelessness and is a co-founder of Delivering with Dignity OC, a collaboration that engages volunteers, support local restaurant while serving the most vulnerable affected by COVID-19.
Jack holds a B.S. and an MBA from UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business and is a graduate of the Southern California Leadership Network. He enjoys cooking, triathlons, teaching martial arts, and just spending quality time with his amazing wife and their four children.
