The LOHM opened its first international Hope House in Trinidad on July 16, 2022, in Sangre Grande, Trinidad. Hope House was founded by Dr. Topeka K. Sam, Founder and CEO of The LOHM. While incarcerated at Danbury Federal Prison in 2013, Dr. Sam imagined a home for women coming home from prison that would provide an abundance of services. Since 2017 Hope House has been dedicated to helping women find meaningful employment, educational opportunities, daily reunification, and healing through trauma-informed care services. 

In Trinidad, 86% percent of women in jail and prison are sexual-violence survivors and prior to Hope House Trinidad, there were no housing programs in place for these impacted women. The programs offered to the women of Hope House will include career mentorship, tutoring, training for public speaking, writing legislation, and certified doula training. In addition to these programs, there is also a focus on basic needs such as homeless and food insecurity.

"We are invested in Trinidad and are here to continue to do the work," said Dr. Sam. "We are going to look at changing legislation, advocate to change the condition of the women's confinement, and make sure that they have opportunities post-release."

"We need organizations like The LOHM led by Dr. Topeka Sam. We need civilly responsible and minded people to interfere with our comfort zone and cause us to stop, think and appreciate the role of a woman." Commissioner of Prisons, Deopersad Ramoutar.

Commissioner of Prisons, Deopersad Ramoutar, delivered the feature address at the grand opening ceremony in which he stressed the dire need to break the vicious cycle of incarceration and the need to reunite the impacted women with their families and community.

Through programs such as Hope House Trinidad, The LOHM will continue to drive change in the social justice movement globally. To continue to support our EPIC vision to end poverty and incarceration of women and girls, text THELOHM2022 to 41444. 

The LOHM in partnership with Growing Peace Inc., will be installing a brand new, cutting-edge, hydroponics garden at Hope House NYC.

Hydroponics is the method of growing crops in water that is frequently enriched with nutrients to aid growth rather than the traditional use of soil. In addition to being undoubtedly successful during harvest, this unique innovation in food and vegetable production also contributes to addressing the larger problem of food deserts and food insecurity in low-income, black and brown neighborhoods. 

According to a Hunger Free America report from 2021, the Bronx was reported as the city's "hungriest borough," with one in four residents experiencing food insecurity. As a result, an initiative that will address food insecurity and try to remedy it is not only revolutionary but critically important, especially at a time when it poses a greater risk to black and brown families.

Hope House NYC is currently located in the Bronx and the hydroponic garden will be supervised by Hope House NYC resident, Sadeaja Smiley. 

"We will be growing basil, mint, head lettuce, all-star lettuce, collard greens, bok choy, kale, and cilantro," said Hope House NYC Coordinator, Takiera Green.

With the support of our founder Dr. Topeka K. Sam and a clever and creative young man by the name of Steven Hoffen, the young scholar who assisted in the development of a hydroponic system in Tel Aviv, Israel, this ground-breaking hydroponic system will be brought to Hope House NYC. 

The produce from the garden will be used to provide the women of the house with nutritious produce for themselves as well as the community. Through this project, the women will also be given the opportunity to cultivate their business skills by selling the produce to local restaurants.

The LOHM had the pleasure of being a part of the inaugural UJC Social Justice Convention in New York City. The Summit was a first-of-its-kind event designed to advance justice through thoughtful, diverse, collaborative learning and exchange.

The day welcomed a community of over 900 in attendance and featured 41 social justice organizations from across the nation. 

The United Justice Coalition (UJC) is a charitable organization that works across disciplines to raise awareness around key social justice issues and the need for criminal justice reform. 

The LOHM was honored to be among powerful advocates and organizations that are committed to advancing racial equity and justice within the criminal legal system.

Attendees had the chance to network, learn more about our work and sign up to get involved with The LOHM. 

A diverse array of 45 dynamic speakers engaged in a series of conversations and experiences all aimed at advancing reforms in our criminal legal system. 

The LOHM Founder and CEO, Dr. Topeka K. Sam was among the speakers

on the panel: Transitions In and Out of The System, moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and producer Maggie Freelang. Dr. Sam was joined by Executive Director and CEO of The American Probation & Parole Association, Veronica Cunningham, Co-Founder of The Last Mile, Chris Redlitz, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Rachael Rollins. 

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