The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM) visited Virgin's headquarters in New York. Participants from our Pathways for Equity Program (P4E), Faces of Women Imprisoned (FOWI) and Epic Ambassadors toured the office and participated in an afternoon filled with fellowship, storytelling and workshops.

The women met with Virgin Groups Investment, Facilities, Branding, Communications, Purpose & Vision, and Operations Team where they attended workshops and learned about each department and their work.

The ladies also have an opportunity to share their stories and the triumphs that have been achieved through The LOHM's partnership with Virgin Unite.

Dr. Sam initiated the session by posing a thought-provoking question to the Virgin team: "How many of you have been impacted by the criminal legal system, whether you yourself have been incarcerated or someone in your life has?" Despite no initial hands raised, Topeka courageously shared her own story, highlighting the inhumane experiences she faced during her time in prison.

Her realization that "prison and jail are not conducive to healing and rehabilitation" ignited a passionate mission to reform the system and create opportunities for women to lead fulfilling lives post-incarceration.

The women from The LOHM, inspired by Topeka's vulnerability, opened up and shared their own stories, shedding light on the judgment and obstacles faced upon release.

One in three people is impacted by the criminal legal system, restricting their access to employment and financial security. The collaboration with Virgin underscores the commitment to breaking down barriers and creating positive change. Through these empowering initiatives, The LOHM demonstrates that women impacted by the criminal legal system deserve fulfilling careers and the resources to support themselves and their families.

Thanks to the support of The LOHM with partners like Virgin Unite these women are breaking the cycle of incarceration and paving the way for a brighter future.

The second annual United Justice Coalition (UJC) Summit was held on December 1st, 2023 at the Javits Center in New York City. This powerful event brought together an inspiring array of leaders and organizations dedicated to advancing justice. The LOHM had the pleasure of being one of the featured organizations for the second year. In addition to our presence as an organization, our Founder and CEO, Dr. Topeka K. Sam, also played a pivotal role on the Anit-Recidivism panel.

The panel delved into innovative strategies and holistic approaches aimed at breaking the cycle of criminal re-offending. Dr. Topeka K. Sam, alongside esteemed panelists Scott Budnick, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Desmond Meade, and Jarad Nava, engaged in insightful discussions moderated by the brilliant Soledad O'Brien.

The conversation unveiled critical issues surrounding rehabilitation, reintegration, and support systems for individuals with criminal histories. The panel shed light on the pivotal role of education, employment, mental health, and community involvement in reducing recidivism rates.

Over 3,500 passionate individuals united creating a powerful force for change. Together, we immersed ourselves in a transformative experience featuring 48 dynamic speakers, representing diverse perspectives and expertise.

The collaboration extended to 61 impactful social justice organizations, each of us contributing to the collective effort to advance justice.

The venue was adorned with thought-provoking artwork from Artistic Noise, Rehabilitation Through The Arts, and The Writing on The Wall, adding a visual dimension to the crucial conversations taking place. A heartfelt thank you to Lava for Good's Wrongful Conviction for a compelling live podcast recording that resonated with the spirit of justice. Your collective contributions elevated the summit to incredible success, leaving us inspired and determined to persist in the fight for justice.

As we reflect on this enriching experience, The LOHM is invigorated to continue our mission of contributing to the work on criminal legal system justice reform. We extend our gratitude to the United Justice Coalition for providing a platform to amplify these crucial conversations.

Together, we stand committed to fostering positive change and ending poverty and incarcerations of women and girls, globally. Let's continue the journey towards a more just and compassionate society.

The Ladies of Hope Ministries' Pathways for Equity (P4E) Program will be presenting a three-part business roundtable series fostered around dismantling the employment barriers for formerly incarcerated women face. The first installment of the series titled, Equitable Employment Opportunities for the Justice Impacted, will be held on January 24, 2023.

Our founder and CEO, Dr. Topeka K. Sam, will host the panel and lead this thought-provoking discussion. During this roundtable, we will shed light on the legal challenges faced by justice-impacted women and identify ways for legal and correctional stakeholders to collaborate in preparing these individuals for meaningful employment opportunities upon reentry into society.

Join us for this compelling discussion as we engage in crucial dialogue, seeking solutions and collaborations to overcome legal barriers and create equitable employment opportunities for women impacted by the criminal legal system.

Mark your calendar, register below, and get ready for an event that will leave you inspired, influenced, and informed.

We had the privilege of hosting our Instagram Live event yesterday December 20 for FOWI IG Live: Unveiling Journeys of Resilience, – a live conversation empowering justice-impacted women and we're excited to share a recap of the empowering evening.

Our Founder, Dr. Topeka K. Sam, kicked off the event, sharing the inspiration behind FOWI and the impact we aim to achieve. We then heard from our Communications Director, Starling Thomas, who emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of justice-impacted women.

The event featured incredible special guests – justice-impacted women awho bravely shared their stories of triumph and resilience. It was a night of inspiration, fostering understanding, empathy, and advocacy for those directly impacted by the criminal legal system.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us, shared their thoughts, and contributed. Your support is invaluable, and together, we continue to empower justice-impacted women.

Stay tuned for more inspiring events and initiatives from The LOHM. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

The Ladies of Hope Ministries | www.thelohm.org

The LOHM is a registered 501(c)3