WHO WE ARE
Restoring Hope. Empowering Women. Transforming Children's Lives.
At Community of Saint Mary Magdalene, we believe that lasting change begins with compassion put into action. Every woman deserves the opportunity to build a better future, every child deserves to grow up protected and loved, and every family deserves the chance to thrive with dignity.
Today, our organization serves vulnerable women, orphaned and parent-separated children, and underserved families across the United States and Africa through programs that promote education, healthcare, family support, economic empowerment, and sustainable community development.
Our Story
Every great mission begins with a single moment that changes everything.
For Community of Saint Mary Magdalene, that moment came on November 21, 2015, when our founder, Claudine Tohouri, received the baptismal name Mary Magdalene during her Catholic baptism. More than a name, it became a lifelong commitment to live a life of compassion, service, and hope.
Some time later, while making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel, Claudine experienced a profound spiritual calling. She felt inspired to dedicate her life to serving unemployed women, vulnerable families, and children facing poverty, abandonment, and social exclusion. That experience planted the seed of what would eventually become Community of Saint Mary Magdalene.
The organization was first envisioned as a source of hope for unemployed young women living in New Jersey. As the vision grew, it became clear that the needs of women could never be separated from the needs of their children and families. What began as a mission to support women naturally evolved into a broader humanitarian commitment to protect children, strengthen families, and empower communities.
On March 25, 2025, Community of Saint Mary Magdalene was officially established as a nonprofit organization, marking the beginning of a structured and sustainable humanitarian mission founded on faith, compassion, integrity, and service.
Today, we proudly operate in New Jersey, United States, and Ivory Coast, West Africa, building bridges of hope between continents while serving vulnerable women, orphaned and parent-separated children, and families facing hardship. Our work continues to grow through partnerships with donors, volunteers, community organizations, and institutions that share our vision of a more just and compassionate world.
CLAUDINE TOHOURI and the sisters of the Catholic hospital of the Don Orione community of Anyama
Our mission
To empower vulnerable women, protect orphaned and parent-separated children, and strengthen families across Africa and the United States by providing humanitarian assistance, quality healthcare, educational opportunities, emotional support, and sustainable development programs that restore dignity, create opportunity, and inspire lasting hope.
Our vision
We envision a world where every woman is empowered to achieve her full potential, every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment, and every family has access to the opportunities and support needed to build a life of dignity, security, and hope.
Compassion
We serve with kindness, empathy, and respect, recognizing the inherent dignity of every person
Integrity
We are committed to honesty, transparency, and ethical leadership in everything we do.
Claudine TOHOURI
Founder
Accountability
We honor the trust of our donors, partners, and the communities we serve through responsible stewardship and measurable impact.
Empowerment
We equip women, children, and families with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to become self-reliant and resilient.
Collaboration
We believe meaningful change happens through strong partnerships with communities, volunteers, faith leaders, nonprofits, governments, and the private sector.
Sustainability
We invest in long-term solutions that strengthen families, improve communities, and create lasting impact for future generations.