Tanga (Tonya) graduated from North Side High school in Fort Wayne, IN and Indiana University. Her only daughter, Danesha, has currently earned several financial scholarships and is following in her mom’s footsteps and attending Indiana University. Danesha spent the past 5 years as a Junior American Legion Rider in Van Wert, OH.
Tanga moved to Van Wert, Ohio in 2000 when she started working at The Starr Commonwealth, a home for troubled youth. She worked there for 3 years before starting her current job at The Marsh Foundation in 2003. During her employment at The Marsh, she has been a Family Teacher, a Team Lead, and currently a School Family Teacher. The mission of The Marsh Foundation is “to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families”. Tanga feels this mission in her heart and soul.
Tanga’s volunteer resume’ includes:
*Van Wert Live Performing Arts Center and Performance Union in Fort Wayne where she helps with ushering and stage set up and tear down and working directly with the performers.
*The board of the YWCA for 6 years. this allows me to work with children and families one many levels of life and how to gain independence.
*A Big for the Big Brother Big Sister program. This is a mentor program for Young school-age youth.
*Van Wert High School Athletic Department
*She has recently become an emergency responder for the Van Wert County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) which involves assisting the police and firefighters on the scene of emergencies or traffic control needs for the city and county. This also gives her the opportunity to comfort the children and families that have been affected by a fire emergency. She often works with the children as their comfort buddy during the fire event
Tanga is a member of The American Legion Auxiliary and The American Legion Riders. While she has been an active member in many areas, one of her favorite activities in this role is starting the high school football games with the firing of the cannon after the national anthem.
Tanga was nominated for this honor by her fellow Legion Riders who see her leadership role in the lives of the youth in their community every day. They are very proud to have her in their group.
