Our Beginning
Founder Suzanne Krause Langford strongly believes that meaningful learning occurs across time from multiple sources. This idea is illustrated by the ‘ōlelo no‘eau (native Hawaiian poetic anecdote)—‘a‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi, which translates as "all knowledge is not taught in the same school." In other words, individuals learn in a multitude of ways. Dr. Langford established the Krause Family Foundation: 'Alana Ke Aloha (KFF) to provide learners with these kinds of creative programs and opportunities.
The term 'alana ke aloha translates both poignantly and profoundly as "a free-will offering of love and compassion." Bestowed upon KFF by a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner who felt this aptly described our work, ‘Alana Ke Aloha became the foundation’s operational name.
Suzanne understands the meaning of "undereducated." She and her father (1923-2013), an art history professor, were the first in their family, third-generation California trades-people, to go to college. Her mother and sister, an accomplished Los Angeles graphic designer, and Bay Area professional and writer, respectively, earned high school diplomas. After high school, Suzanne's sister remained underemployed for many years, until circumstances and a network of people who cared led to a series of productive, training and career pathways. With her mother's (1999) and sister's (2009) passing, Suzanne sought to honor their lives and family name, at the same time, assist others -- youth, single parents, individuals who are undereducated, underemployed, or underserved -- and founded KFF as a nonprofit, 501 (C) 3 charitable organization in 2010.