The people building the pathway

Tanneka Harrington is a Chicago native, former foster-care youth, foster parent, nonprofit founder and community advocate whose lived experience has shaped her lifelong commitment to supporting young people.

In 2013, Tanneka founded Living Waters Youth, Inc. She later opened a foster home in North Minneapolis, where she cared for more than 10 young girls over several years.

Tanneka has more than a decade of experience working with youth and developing community-based programming. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire University and graduated cum laude.

Today, Tanneka leads Living Waters Youth’s expansion into Chicago, with a focus on foster-care transition, housing stability, systems navigation, community partnerships and long-term opportunities for young adults.

Her work is grounded in the belief that young people deserve more than survival. They deserve stable housing, meaningful support, opportunity and a community that believes in their future.

Tammarah Curtis is a proud native of Chicago’s West Side and a dedicated youth leader with more than 18 years of experience mentoring and guiding young people.

As a former teen mother whose parents struggled with addiction, Tammarah understands the challenges young people face when they grow up without consistent support. Her lived experience has shaped her commitment to helping youth overcome barriers and build more stable futures.

Tammarah’s approach centers the whole person. She is passionate about supporting the mental, physical, emotional and financial well-being of young people while ensuring they feel seen, valued and capable of reaching their goals.

As President of Living Waters Youth, Tammarah helps strengthen programs, operations, outreach and community partnerships. She also supports the organization’s continued growth and impact in Chicago.

Her leadership is compassionate, practical and relationship-centered, grounded in the belief that every young person deserves support, opportunity and a community invested in their future.

Blake Adams is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota and a National Certified Counselor.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Northern Illinois University and her master’s degree in counseling from Capella University. Her professional experience includes counseling, foster-care and family services, long-term care and healthcare leadership.

Blake brings a trauma-informed, collaborative and practical approach to her work. She has experience supporting teens, adults, older adults and families navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, family conflict and major life transitions.

At Living Waters Youth, Blake supports the development of behavioral-health partnerships, trauma-informed practices, clinical referral pathways and healing-centered resources within the organization’s larger wraparound model.

Her role helps ensure that emotional wellness and mental-health support remain connected to Living Waters Youth’s housing, stability, workforce-development and community-building efforts.