Meet Khiva Mackey | Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Khiva Mackey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Khiva, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting a nonprofit organization, is to assist and advocate for families of children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, to bridge the gap of include for individuals who oftentimes go overlooked.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being a mother of a special needs child was a blessing and difficult at the same time. The blessing in it, that I was trusted to love, care for, and protect a human being that could not advocate for herself. We learned from each other, I was the student and Loni was the teacher. Due to my daughter’s disabilities, I wasn’t able to work full time all the time, so I became a contract worker for may corporate companies. My area of skills is Accounting, Human Resource, Quality Assurance, Payroll, Healthcare, Customer Service, Management, Program Manager, Life Skills Specialist, Case Management. Life was not easy, however I was determined to give it everything I had to make sure my children received the same opportunity as others. I’ve learned in order to get to, you have to go through, and grow through.

Children Like Loni was founded by myself “Khiva Mackey”, when my daughter Loni passed away at the tender age of 11 in 2015. I started the organization as a coping tool to help with grieving and depression. I didn’t realize how much of an impact our organization would bring to many families in our community. Over the years we have served over 1 million meals and 6 thousand families through our enrichment programs such as, Community Food Pantry, Dance Class, Food Distribution, STEAM (science, technology, engineer, art, math), Life after School program, and annual events. We are proud members of the Katy Chambers of Commerce, and collaborate with many community partners, HEB, Kroger, Supply Bridge Ministries, Hope City Mission, Houston Astros, Katy Lions Club, Friends of Sundown, Houston Children Museum, Kids Meals Inc, Houston Food Bank and many more.

Children Like Loni Organization is a place where children and young adults can be their authentic selves and feel included with others in their community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite restaurants to eat in Houston is Mastros Steakhouse, Lost and Found, Pablo, Snooze. My hangouts are any place with live band. I recommend comedy shows, and concerts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank one of our community partner Supply Bridge Ministries for their continue support to our organization and community.

Website: www.likeloni.org

Instagram: lonichildrenlike

Facebook: Children Like Loni