About Us
Where we came from
TOFA (To’utupu’o e ‘Otu Felenite Association) Inc., which translated means Friendly Islands Youth. TOFA officially launched as a 501© (3) non-profit organization October 6th, 2000. We started to provide a much needed Pacific Island community-based organization that could support the growing number of Pacific Islanders in the Sacramento area, especially the youth.
Why we do this
The mission of TOFA is to preserve and enhance the overall Health and Wellness of the Pacific Islander Community in the Greater Sacramento Area by providing resources that support and promote Higher Education, Community Leadership Opportunities, Civil Rights Awareness, and Cultural Arts.
Meet our Board!
C. 'Ofa mann (President)
‘Ofa Mann is serving her 16th term as the President of TOFA. TOFA was founded by ‘Ofa Mann 2000, a non-profit educational and advocacy organization for the Pacific Islander Community in the greater Sacramento Region.
Lucy Oback (VP Operations)
Lucy Oback serves as TOFA (To’utupu ‘oe ‘Otu Felenite Association) Inc.’s Vice President of Operations. TOFA is a non-profit, Pacific Islander organization that supports the growing number of Pacific Islanders in the Sacramento area.
Tevita Fakalata (VP Education)
Tevita Fakalata serves as TOFA Inc.'s Vice President of Education. Tevita has chaired education conferences and Scholarship Fundraisers for the past 10 years for TOFA.
'Alisi Wolfgramm (Secretary)
'Alisi serves as TOFA Inc's secretary and is an important bridge to the community. Her contributions to TOFA included cultural arts performance and costume design. 'Alisi has been a board member of TOFA since 2000.
Vise Mann (Cultural Arts)
Vise serves as TOFA Inc's Cultural Arts Chair. She has taught dance to our youth since TOFA began in 2000. Today, in collaboration with other dance instructors, Vise continues to direct TOFA's Pacific Islands dance classes. As part of TOFA's Ambassadors Program, Vise tutors youth to become master teachers in Pacific Island Cultural Dance.
Dr. Liz Lynn (Scholarship Chair)
Dr. Liz Lynn retired as a First Sergeant after 25 years of honorable military service. She also worked as an Energy Accountant for the U.S. Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration, and retired after 30 years of service.
Dr. Lynn earned a Doctorate of Education in Leadership Management from Drexel University, and completed a dissertation titled: Pacific Islander Women of the U.S. Armed Forces: A Narrative Study. She has an MA in Organizational Management (University of Phoenix) and a BS in Management (Golden Gate University). Dr. Lynn has supported and volunteered her time with community organizations such as TOFA, Hui ‘O Hawaii, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, and the Sacramento Women’s Veterans Alliance.