Dr. Topeka
K. Sam
Nonprofit
Faith-Based

The Ladies of Hope Ministries

My Role

Founder

Timeline

2017 - Present

As the visionary and founder of The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM), my mission is to support women and girls impacted by the criminal legal system. While incarcerated, I recognized that prison and jail environments do not foster healing or rehabilitation. After my release, I dedicated myself to creating pathways for success and advocating for alternatives to incarceration.

The LOHM empowers women and girls to build sustainable lives post-incarceration by providing access to housing, food, healthcare, living-wage employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, education, and advocacy. By amplifying the voices of those directly affected by the criminal legal system, we drive change in the social justice movement and strive to end the crisis of poverty and incarceration among women and girls.

At The LOHM, we provide crucial services such as safe housing, reentry support, and advocacy programs that are grounded in the lived experiences of women who have faced the criminal justice system. Our organization is founded, led, and operated primarily by women of color, and we take pride in embracing new approaches to addressing behaviors that stem from trauma and violence.

The women we serve have diverse needs, from basic necessities like shelter and food to long-term sustainability and spiritual well-being. Our leadership is built on the principle of proximate leadership, with a core team that includes formerly incarcerated leaders and others with first-hand experience. This unique combination of lived experience and professional expertise allows us to address structural inequities and advance solutions developed by those closest to the communities we serve.

My Role

As the founder and visionary behind The LOHM, my role is to lead with purpose, passion, and innovation. I am involved in every aspect of our work, from strategic planning to community engagement, ensuring that our mission to uplift and empower women is at the forefront of all we do. My goal is to reduce barriers and create meaningful opportunities for women to thrive, build self-sufficiency, and reclaim their independence.

Goals for The LOHM

  • Empower Women: Help women and girls affected by the criminal legal system rebuild their lives and achieve long-term sustainability.
  • Foster Economic Stability: Provide resources and support to help women access living-wage employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
  • Address Systemic Inequities: Advocate for social justice reforms that eliminate barriers for justice-impacted women and girls.
  • Build Strong Communities: Invest in programs that not only address immediate needs but also create long-term impact in the communities we serve.
  • Lead with Experience: Leverage the expertise of those who have lived through the system to guide our work and provide innovative solutions.
  • Create Lasting Change: Ensure that The LOHM remains a driving force in the fight to end poverty and incarceration for women and girls, while building a lasting legacy of empowerment and opportunity.

To learn more about The Ladies of Hope Ministries and support their mission, visit thelohm.org.