Our Services

We work hard to give back to our community. It means a lot for us to see our fellow man and woman succeed in these tough times.

Furniture for Families

We provide furniture for households as needed in Union and Essex counties.

Food Distribution

We provide meat and fresh vegetables, canned goods and sundries to families in need.

Free Community Events

Each year we host a Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas/Holiday Gathering, Health Fairs, Coat Giveaways, and a school supplies giveaway.

Volunteer for our next event

We would love to have you participate in our next community event

Our Team

We’re so excited to provide service in our community.

tinathomas
Tina ThomasFounder

Tina Founded the LAF October 15, 2014. Her main function is to oversee all aspects of providing care to various communities which includes projects and events in Essex and Union Counties in New Jersey. For 21 years she’s been employed by Horizon BCBSNJ where she provides value and support to the Strategic Initiatives Group as an Administrative Assistant. She is a licensed Sponsor with the State of NJ where she cares for and houses adults with special needs in her home. Tina is the Co-Chair of the Hillside Exploratory Committee for the Citizen’s Review Board. In her spare-time, she enjoys her 4 and 5 year old grandchildren.

tinathomas
Tina ThomasFounder

Tina Founded the LAF October 15, 2014. Her main function is to oversee all aspects of providing care to various communities which includes projects and events in Essex and Union Counties in New Jersey. For 21 years she’s been employed by Horizon BCBSNJ where she provides value and support to the Strategic Initiatives Group as an Administrative Assistant. She is a licensed Sponsor with the State of NJ where she cares for and houses adults with special needs in her home. Tina is the Co-Chair of the Hillside Exploratory Committee for the Citizen’s Review Board. In her spare-time, she enjoys her 4 and 5 year old grandchildren.

closepopup
Sophia-Dossous
Sophia DossousCommunity Engagement Specialist

Giving back to the community is Sophia’s passion and after co-sponsoring the LAF’s Father/Daughter dance, Sophia joined the LAF board in December 2017. She has a bachelors degree in Phycology from Caldwell University and has been an LPN for the past 10 years. Sophia is the proud owner of Do’ssage Massage & Bodywork in Roselle, NJ.

Sophia-Dossous
Sophia DossousCommunity Engagement Specialist

Giving back to the community is Sophia’s passion and after co-sponsoring the LAF’s Father/Daughter dance, Sophia joined the LAF board in December 2017. She has a bachelors degree in Phycology from Caldwell University and has been an LPN for the past 10 years. Sophia is the proud owner of Do’ssage Massage & Bodywork in Roselle, NJ.

closepopup
Kawania-Brinson
Kawania BrinsonVice President of Operations

Kawania joined the LAF since its inception, October 2014. For many years she wanted to serve the less fortunate population and now that she is, she feels fulfilled and blessed to help so many. For 25 years Kawania has been a licensed Cosmetologist. Currently she is a Herbal Life distributor and truly believes in her motto “Each One Touch One”.

Kawania-Brinson
Kawania BrinsonVice President of Operations

Kawania joined the LAF since its inception, October 2014. For many years she wanted to serve the less fortunate population and now that she is, she feels fulfilled and blessed to help so many. For 25 years Kawania has been a licensed Cosmetologist. Currently she is a Herbal Life distributor and truly believes in her motto “Each One Touch One”.

closepopup
Marjorie HargraveTreasurer

Marjorie is a Hillside High School alumni. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Morgan State University and an MBA in Banking and Finance from Dowling College. Marjorie is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is serving in several capacities on the municipal and county levels of NJ State government. Marjorie enjoys serving her community and crochets during her down time. Her business name is “Aunt Marj Masterpieces” and can be found on Instagram and Facebook.

Marjorie HargraveTreasurer

Marjorie is a Hillside High School alumni. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Morgan State University and an MBA in Banking and Finance from Dowling College. Marjorie is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is serving in several capacities on the municipal and county levels of NJ State government. Marjorie enjoys serving her community and crochets during her down time. Her business name is “Aunt Marj Masterpieces” and can be found on Instagram and Facebook.

closepopup
Joan-Wynn
Joan WynnDirector of Volunteers

Joan has been a board member since December 2018. She is a former IRS agent and is currently an Insurance Administrator with the Betesh Group. It gives Joan great pleasure in helping others. Joan’s spare time is spent with her grandsons who she absolutely adores.

Joan-Wynn
Joan WynnDirector of Volunteers

Joan has been a board member since December 2018. She is a former IRS agent and is currently an Insurance Administrator with the Betesh Group. It gives Joan great pleasure in helping others. Joan’s spare time is spent with her grandsons who she absolutely adores.

closepopup
Shaun-Wynn
Shaun WynnSecretary

Shaun joined the LAF January 2018. She keeps the team organized and works closely with all board members. She has a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickenson University and currently in the process of obtaining her Masters Degree. For the past 23 years Shaun has been a Sales Executive at Horizon BCBSNJ. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her Fur-baby Khloe.

Shaun-Wynn
Shaun WynnSecretary

Shaun joined the LAF January 2018. She keeps the team organized and works closely with all board members. She has a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickenson University and currently in the process of obtaining her Masters Degree. For the past 23 years Shaun has been a Sales Executive at Horizon BCBSNJ. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her Fur-baby Khloe.

closepopup

Testimonials

We’re grateful to have a great reputation in the local community. See what people are saying about us.

Lois WatsonNewark, NJ

Thank you @Thelovingarmsfoundation you guys have been a tremendous help to my children and I. Great customer service skills & a loving embrace❤️. Thank you Ms. Thomas for offering your services to me at a crucial time of need.

Cheryl QuinonesHillside, NJ

I am a grandmother of three in September 2019 our daughter passed away due to brain cancer and we are helping to raise her three children ages 17, 15 and 9. We were struggling to have certain things for them but because of the Loving Arms Foundation you have provided us with nothing but love, you also provided us with a bed, clothes, cash and food. You reached out to others who provided us with more love. People I never met came by my house and showed us nothing but more love. Most of all I am so appreciative of our friendship and bond we've developed. Sometimes we just need a little help! Just a little tender loving care. Keep doing the work of the Lord. Thank you!

Rhonda WilsonNewark, NJ

I would like to thank The Loving Arms foundation from the Bottom of my heart. I made one phone call to Tina because I needed help with Furniture and she did not question me she simply helped. I appreciate this foundation so much and thank you so much for helping the community love always Rhonda 💗

Recent Events

Get the details for any of our events via our event flyers.

ToyGiveaway2020

Toy Drive 2020

IMG_8645

Health Fair

IMG_9291

Sunday Brunch

Volunteer Pics

IMG_0055

Thanksgiving Day

Frequently Asked Questions

The Loving Arms Foundation’s mission is to provide food, shelter, education, basic life skills, stability and most importantly love and affection to the less fortunate in Essex and Union Counties in the state of New Jersey.  We believe we can teach a multitude of skills to empower individuals to self-sufficiency for life after homelessness.

  • How often do you you host free health fairs?

    We prove a spring health fair yearly. At these event we have representatives from world class organizations like Horizon BCBS NJ, Susan B. Komen, Planned Parenthood, Why Save a Life?, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and many more.

Contact Us!

If you'd like to participate or become a program partner, we'd love to hear from YOU!

1-862-227-4200
84 Clinton Place Newark, NJ 07108