Director of  Finance

My name is Lilian Jeannette Lopez. I was born in El Salvador and came with my mother to the U.S. at the age of 10.  We left the country just as the war began. It was very sad.  I could see smoke rising from the area where the capital stands. We had the chance to leave, but our hearts wept for the families we left behind.

I arrived in the U.S. on a Saturday.  It was spring and there was still snow left from a late snow that had fallen a week earlier. I was excited to see snow. Our winters consisted of heavy rains that are as timely and certain as the sun is to come out.

I went to Potomac Elementary the following Monday and my life was changed forever. No one spoke Spanish, which forced me into learning English rather quickly. Within three months I was speaking English, a language that I used to sing in when I was back home (Beatles songs), but which I did not understand. I moved to Washington, DC where I finished my elementary studies at Hearst Elementary, attended Deal Junior High and graduated from Wilson High School. I also graduated from college in Washington, DC.

I t  was at Hearst Elementary where I was once again given the chance to do what I like the most, which is to help those who are most in need. They had a program with the Washington Nursing Home for us to adopt a grandparent. This was exciting for me, since the only family I had was my mother. I spent my summers volunteering at the National Zoo, doing puppet shows to teach kids about the importance of saving the forest and trees, helping to feed the animals (I do not like snakes or rodents) and as a teacher’s aide in their summer program. The latter part of my summers I spent in Erie, PA, catching perch and eating a lot of corn and home grown vegetables (good memories). During my teenage years my mother encouraged me (ok--demanded) that I read and write Spanish, and at home I could only speak Spanish. She wanted to make sure I would not forget my native tongue. She succeeded.

During my college years I worked in retail at what used to be known as Sutton Place Gourmet. Once I graduated from college I worked for the Maret School and the United Way of Calvert County. I continue in my free time to volunteer where needed at church, as a foster parent for cats for PAWS, and with Safe Nights during the fall and winter months.

My idea of a day well spent is making a difference in someone’s life, bringing a smile to a sad face, giving hope to someone who has none. I love to read, sing, and take long walks on the beach or anywhere; I like to travel; I enjoy cooking and spending time with family, especially my mother. I thank God for the opportunities He has given me and for giving me the most wonderful mother in the world. I also like to spend time with my god- children J and J, and my best friend.

I feel blessed to now be working with Jubilee Housing.  Right before I was hired by Jubilee, I was chosen at my church to go on a Mission to San Juan de Limay in Nicaragua. The work of the mission is to build homes for those who have none and need them the most. God works in mysterious ways; I now feel He was preparing me for what lay ahead.