The Founders
In 2012, Priscilla Ofosu and Dianeda Short—two dental professionals and former young mothers themselves—co-founded Lean On Us Unity with a mission to uplift and support single mothers facing the same challenges they once overcame. A casual lunch between colleagues turned into a calling: to create an organization that would offer housing, education, and life skills to pregnant teens and young adult women navigating motherhood alone.
Initially focused on transitional housing, the organization formed partnerships with local churches, support agencies, and alternative schools across Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. As the need grew, so did the mission—giving rise to LOUU-House of Faith, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping young mothers build independent lives.
Through prayer, planning, and purpose, Priscilla and Dianeda transformed their shared vision into a life-changing organization that continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community.
Priscilla Ofosu, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
As Co-Founder and CEO, Priscilla Ofosu, R.D.H., leads with vision, compassion, and operational excellence. She oversees the day-to-day administration of both the LLC and nonprofit organizations, ensuring compliance with government regulations and nonprofit bylaws while advancing the mission to serve young mothers and families in need.
Priscilla brings over 20 years of experience in the dental field and earned her degree in Dental Hygiene from Howard University, graduating as class president in 2005. She is passionate about giving back and has volunteered annually with programs such as Give Kids a Smile and MOM’s Project.
Priscilla resides in Springfield, Virginia with her two daughters. Outside of her professional work, she values time with family and continues to be deeply committed to community impact.
Dianeda Short, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Dianeda Short serves as COO and Director of Programs. She leads the design, implementation, and oversight of all core services. Her work ensures that each program is built with purpose, compassion, and measurable outcomes.
Dianeda’s background as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant provides her with a deep understanding of both precision and care. She holds a Dental Assistant Degree and X-ray certification from Applied Career Training, and she continues to be active in the field.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dianeda is a Licensed Therapeutic Foster Parent, certified through Child and Family Services, and was honored as the 2010 Foster Parent of the Year by Foundations First. Her experience with youth from the CPS system has uniquely prepared her to support vulnerable populations with empathy and strength.
A passionate community leader, Dianeda is also an ordained minister at Liberty House Ministries, where she engages youth on spiritual development. She lives in Fort Washington, Maryland with her husband and their three daughters.