The vision for Children of Grace began when Mary Ann McCoy first witnessed the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in 2002. On a trip to Uganda to help with the AIDS crisis, Mary Ann met Grace, an HIV positive mother of two. Grace confided in Mary Ann that she was afraid to die, leaving her children as orphans. “Who is going to love, nurture and educate them?” In response, Mary Ann promised to educate Grace’s children. Soon after Grace died, Children of Grace was born to fulfill the promise to love, nurture and educate Ugandan children. Today, Children of Grace works tirelessly toward this commitment by providing education, lifesaving healthcare, empowerment programs and holistic mentoring to thousands of Ugandan orphans and other children impacted by extreme poverty and AIDS.
About Us
Board of Directors
Jeff Eid works for Dolby Labs in San Francisco. Jeff first went to Uganda in 2012 with his wife and son. He fell in love with Uganda and joined our Board to support the ministry. Jeff brings a wonderful strategic thinking bent to the Board and has a passion for the children. In 2014, Jeff and his wife adopted their sponsored child and brought her home to live with them.
Paul has served on the Children of Grace Board since January 2009. Paul and his family lived in Uganda and served as our Operations Director for eighteen months. This allows him to bring a special perspective to our Board discussions. Paul currently lives in Denver, CO and works as a consultant in the Information Technology Service Industry.
Steve began his professional career, teaching and coaching high school in California. Steve has worked in the printing industry and sales management. Steve was led to Uganda and impacted by the needs of widows and orphans. Over the past several years, Steve has spent time in Uganda with MicroBusiness Mentors (MBM), a partner ministry that provides micro business loans to our guardians.
Mary Ann is the Founder and Executive Director of Children of Grace. She was driven to help the HIV/AIDS orphans of Uganda in 2001. Her vision is to see the youth of Uganda transformed by Christ’s love. She has dedicated her work to providing education to those who would not otherwise have access to schooling. Mary Ann has four children, five grandchildren and a supporting husband. She was born and raised in Iowa and is currently a San Francisco resident. Mary Ann is a graduate nurse, and she and her husband Mike have spent the last several years in Uganda managing the operations there.
Mike has served as a Children of Grace Board Member and its CFO since the incorporation of Children of Grace in 2001. Mike has been married over 50 years to Children of Grace’s Founder and Executive Director Mary Ann. He is a trustee and former Board Chair of the Athenian School in Danville, CA and currently serves as a Director and Treasurer of the Beacon Residential Community Association in San Francisco. Mike is a retired corporate Executive and business owner.
Jennifer has a background in finance accounting and spent several years in the financial district of New York as a VP and CFO. She also spent a few years as a small businesses consultant and was a successful Realtor for a prominent residential real estate company in New York City. Since moving to the Bay Area, Jennifer has been raising her triplets and also accepted God’s call to attend seminary. She is a Class of 2015 graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and is about to venture back into the workforce, working on issues of childhood poverty and development.
Rebecca Gast is a Strategy Consultant, who is passionate about advancing education and supporting children in developing countries. She has her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Rebecca has experience in strategic planning, financial management, and non-profit consulting. She volunteered with CoG last year, visited Uganda in January and is eager to continue working with the organization to meet its strategic plan.
Bijal Patel works as an Account Manager for Genentech supporting access to medicines, and is a Pharmacist by education. She also has experience in strategy development, business operations and marketing which she brings to the Board of Children of Grace. Bijal is passionate about empowering youth and global impact. When meeting Zahara, Bijal was compelled by her and Mary Ann’s story and mission in Uganda, driving her to join the Board.
US Staff
Catherine Fresquez
Accountant
Zahara Seruyombya-McCoy
Development Officer
Julie McCoy
Child Sponsorship Volunteer
Robin Latendresse
Sponsorship Communications Volunteer
Uganda Staff
Joseph Mabonga
Director of Operations
Bethany Nakamya
Administrative Assistant
Betty Balungi
Staff Support
Zacch Isabirye
Mentor
Leila Namugere
Mentor
Solome Jaromo
Mentor
Cathy Atuhaire
Mentor
Joanita Mpakibi
Mentor
Sandra Kisakye
Mentor
Carolyne Namukose
Nurse
Paul Bamugaya
Staff Support
Paul Muwanguzi
Staff Support
Contact Us
925.736.2172
Contact Zahara to learn more.
For accounting questions, please contact Catherine.
Address:
Children of Grace, PO Box 2394
Danville, CA 94526
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