A little more than a year has passed since Carla and Rodney Liber lost their 16-year-old daughter, Sami, in a tragic ATV accident during a family vacation in Wyoming. A promising young artist, Sami was passionate about drawing, painting, photography and music. Her passions inspired the Libers to channel their grief into launching the Los Angeles-based SAMI Foundation.
SAMI empowers local teens to pursue the arts by providing art supplies to underserved youth programs and schools across L.A., funding scholarships for young artists and sponsoring workshops. In just one year, the foundation has formed meaningful partnerships with Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production, Altadena Arts Magnet, KIPP Public Charter Schools, United in Harmony, Baby2Baby, UCLA Health, OxyArts, the Salvation Army Bessie Pregerson Preschool and more.
“This has been an unimaginable year, and we miss Sami so very much,” Carla says. “The foundation gives us a way to manage our grief by helping children bring more beauty into the world just like Sami did. Someone recently told us, ‘If there is a why, there is a how,’ and that has stayed with us. Sami’s older sister, Ava, has shown incredible resilience. She graduated high school with honors and is now in her freshman year at the University of Miami. As a family, we lean on each other and find strength in carrying Sami’s spirit forward.”
Creating artwork helped Sami find calm and express herself, and it served as a form of therapy that allowed her to channel her anxiety and find a meditative space, Carla explains.
“She was proud of her art, and we believe sharing it can inspire other children and teens, especially those in need, to create and express themselves, too.” With the help of Sami’s friends who serve as volunteers, SAMI Foundation distributes “Inspired by Sami” art kits adorned with Sami’s original creations.
“We’re proud of how much has been accomplished in such a short time,” Carla says. “The foundation has reached thousands of kids locally and across the country, supplying classrooms and students with art materials and support. We’ve fulfilled teachers’ wish lists, delivered hundreds of art kits and even sponsored a music school scholarship.
“Our goal is to build lasting partnerships with organizations that reach children and educators,” she explains. “This is not about writing checks; it’s about giving kids the tools they need to create, because art programs are often the first thing cut from school budgets, and we want to help fill that gap.”
To learn more or to support the SAMI Foundation, visit thesamifoundation.org.
