About Us
The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM) is working to end the crisis of poverty and the incarceration of women and girls. We offer safe housing, reentry support, and advocacy programs that are grounded in the lived experiences, insights, and ideas of people with direct, lived experience with the criminal justice system. The LOHM was founded, and is led, operated by, and serves primarily women of color who understand the value and importance of new approaches to addressing behaviors that may arise as responses to trauma and violence.
The women we meet every day have a variety of service needs that range from basic survival such as safe shelter and food, employment and long-term sustainability in the community, and spiritual and existential needs.
Our Vision is EPIC – Ending Poverty and Incarceration of Women and Girls – and we address this crisis through our interrelated core mission program areas:
THE LOHM STAFF
Luis Ramos
Chief Financial Officer
Throughout his professional career, he's paid close attention to data and created personalized plans to optimize the workflow of financial departments. He realized how often data is overlooked when it comes to financial management and is focused on using his expertise to find the data you need to make your company an industry leader.
How do you unwind?
I play chess, usually online, to offset any stress
What is your life motto?
"Don't worry, be happy"
Starling Thomas
Communications Consultant
Starling Thomas is the Communications Director. She has been impacted by the criminal legal system by witnessing her mother brutally beaten at the hands of police as a child and then being wrongfully incarcerated as an adult. She appealed her case while incarcerated and is part of the 2% of the American prison population that wins their federal case on appeal. She is a graduate of the inaugural Faces of Women Imprisoned Cohort and understands firsthand the detrimental effects the criminal legal system can have on women and their families.
Starling has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Florida A&M University and a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from Regent University. She brings to The LOHM a broad range of experience as a Public Relations Specialist, Creative Director, and Video Production Manager and has been featured as a freelance writer in a plethora of publications including, Sheen Magazine, Rolling Out, Divine Voice, and Page Magazine.
Belinda Fly
Human resources Consultant
Belinda Fly is the Founder & CEO of HR, Board & More, a Louisiana-based consulting firm that specializes in human resources management and nonprofit board operations. With 30 years of experience, she serves as a strategic thought-partner to business executives and nonprofit leaders, building compliant infrastructures that promote healthy work cultures, confidentiality, and safe spaces for all. Her credentials include being a Certified Professional with SHRM, an active member of NOLA SHRM, and a Goldman Sachs 10k Small Businesses Alumni Ambassador.
In her role as a human resources consultant, Belinda acts as a senior advisor to organizational leadership by managing recruitment, hiring, employee benefits, performance management, and policy development—all while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Additionally, she excels in nonprofit board consulting by working closely with board leadership to develop recruitment strategies, facilitate orientations, and lead training, retreats, and strategic planning sessions that clarify governance roles and legal responsibilities.
A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management concentrating on Human Resources Management, Belinda is committed to lifelong learning through ongoing training and professional development in HR and legal topics. She defines her most important role and greatest achievement as being a devoted mother to her amazingly talented son, Albert Fly, Jr.
Patricia “Trish” Lewis
Faces of Women Imprisoned Program Director
Trish is the Faces of Women Imprisoned Program Director. Trish spent most of her young adult life in the army and in that time she lost her cousin to a vehicle explosion in Baghdad, fought to survive while being deployed to the same base camp that claimed her cousins life and spent her 21st birthday dodging bombs and bullets. During this time, her perspective on life changed tremendously. Upon returning home, Trish found it difficult to adjust to the unstructured civilian life, much like those who are integrating after incarceration. She joined the police force but later turned to politics as she saw the systemic injustices ran deeper than her job ensuring community safety on the streets. Trish strives to enhance the lives of those who, like her, have been impacted by the justice system and she believes that the LOHM is the first of its kind to address the needs of returning citizens on a multifaceted level. Her work at the organization revolves around reducing recidivism and bolstering community healing.
Trish attended Fordham University and earned her B.A. in Business Mgt. She went on to obtain a double MBA in Business Administration and International Business with a Certification in Global Leadership from Georgia State University and Sorbonne Business School - IAE de Paris, France.
LaToya M.V.A. Desprez
Chief of Staff
LaToya M.V.A. Desprez is a seasoned and dynamic executive leader with over 12 years of leadership expertise and experience. She started off at The LOHM assisting the Executive Director on a volunteer basis, helping to navigate the day to day operations. Not long after, she would quickly learn the dynamics of the non profit as a whole, allowing her to see where her expertise could help take the organization to its next level. Having been on the board of 2 non profits prior to her time here, she quickly fell in love with The LOHM as a non profit itself along with its mission to help women and children who have been justice impacted.
LaToya is adept at aligning company goals with the day-to-day functions ensuring the executive leadership team has the necessary support to implement and oversee both short-term and long-term business strategies. Her skill sets in strategic planning, team management, and operational excellence based on knowledge acquired working across multiple industries, allows her to manage complex organizational structures while fostering collaboration across departments.
Between her broad skill set and adaptable leadership style, she maintains the ability to seamlessly manage high-level initiatives, partnerships, coordination of cross-functional teams, as well as execute key strategic objectives that propel organizations forward. She is recognized within the company for her exceptional communication and public speaking skills, her ability to interface executive partnerships, management of internal workflows, and her representation of The LOHM leadership on critical matters.
In her current role as Chief of Staff, LaToya serves as a trusted advisor, fostering a high-performing team that cultivates an inclusive productive environment. Her dedication to organizational success along with her personal commitment to excellence, positions her as a leader who is equipped to handle high-pressure environments. She often makes tangible and sustainable change. LaToya M.V.A. Desprez continues to be an indispensable asset.
Nia Cosby
Training Coordinator - Pathways for Equity Program
Nia has been active in her community since childhood where she first began volunteering at voter registration drives with her grandmother. Nia’s passion and motivation to help formerly incarcerated individuals stems from her being the child of a formerly incarcerated mother, who served 15 years in federal prison. This difficult time in her life gave her the drive to become the successful woman she is today.
Nia has been giving the opportunity to be featured and share her story on several media outlets including, National Public Radio (NPR), PBS News, and ACLU publications. Nia has worked with several organizations that serve justice impacted individuals, she has been tasked with building client databases and writing parole packets for individuals who received life sentences. Nia received her post secondary education from Florida A&M University were she studied business administration.
Judith Negron
Program Director - Pathways for Equity
Judith Negron serves as the Program Director for the Pathways for Equity Program. She is responsible for business outreach, employer partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and providing information on fair chance hiring. As Partnership Lead, she aims to bridge the gap between justice-impacted women and employers to provide equitable employment opportunities.
Judith is an accomplished leader and innovator with an impressive career spanning over three decades in the mental health and community services fields. While Vice President of Medlink Professional, she led the company's growth from a small operation to a large, multi-location corporation. She is also an experienced educator, mentor, and counselor who has helped hundreds of justice-impacted women in various correctional institutions.
As a formerly incarcerated Hispanic mother, she has experienced first-hand the countless barriers and collateral consequences attached to having a conviction. She has since dedicated her freedom to advocate for those who have been directly and indirectly impacted by the criminal legal system.
Judith has a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from St. Thomas University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and holds several certifications, including Seeking Safety, Cognitive Behavioral Training, Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law, and QuickBooks.
ShaWanda Manuel
Fellowship Coordinator - Pathways for Equity
ShaWanda Manuel is a seasoned Organizational Management Leader with a proven track record of success in prominent nonprofit organizations across New York City and South Florida. She is a proud graduate of Metropolitan College of New York, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, and holds a Professional Human Resource Certification from Nova Southeastern University. With over 20 years of expertise in administration, human resources, organizational development, and program management, ShaWanda is dedicated to delivering impactful services to diverse programs and populations.
An alum of the Pathways for Equity Fellowship, ShaWanda gained transformative insights and practical tools to advance her mission, further strengthening her confidence, leadership skills, and vision for creating meaningful social change.
ShaWanda’s personal experiences with the criminal justice system have shaped her understanding of the profound challenges faced by women and families during incarceration. These experiences inspire her mission to address systemic disparities and provide critical resources to justice-impacted individuals and their families. Deeply committed to empowerment, restoration, and rebuilding, ShaWanda works tirelessly to “help others help themselves,” exemplifying her unwavering dedication to transformative change and social equity.
Sheinell Dews
Prince Georges County Rapid Rehousing Case Manager
Sheinell Dews, also known as Lotti, is the Prince George's County Rapid Rehousing Case Manager. She takes pleasure in assisting with the Transitional Housing Program in Prince George's County, where her duties involve conducting intakes, meeting individuals where they are, and aiding them in becoming self-sufficient and motivated to secure housing. Her work history spans roles such as Case Manager, Special Education, and a stint in the Prince George's County Fire Department. In 2009, she received a certificate in Ownership or Management of a Community Residential Facility from the University of the District of Columbia. In 2022, she spoke at a Women's Empowerment Conference on the topic "Adjust Your Crown" in Prince George's County, and in January 2024, she joined the LOHM, where she truly felt she belonged.
In August 2020, Sheinell underwent brain surgery, which drastically changed her life. She transitioned from what everyone calls normal to completing physical therapy for basic motor skills, occupational therapy for activities of daily living, and speech therapy for word retrieval and memory. After recovering, she was ready for employment again and landed in PSH case management because someone believed in her. Growing up in an abusive household with two drug-abusing parents and enduring an abusive relationship for 11 years while being homeless on and off, Sheinell found her place at the LOHM. She understands the impact of the justice system on both adults and children, having watched her parents go to prison and later experiencing it herself due to defending herself from domestic abuse. Sheinell felt compelled to share her experience, passion, and reason for living through her work.
Ayana Thomas
Rapid Rehousing Case Manager NYC
Ayana Thomas serves as the Rapid Rehousing Case Manager NYC for The LOHM, she's dedicated to personal development and women empowerment. Ayana is a woman who has been impacted by the criminal legal system and understands the personal journey of homelessness,domestic violence and adversity. Ayana recognizes the heavy burden that women carry, both before and after their encounters with the many systems and is committed to helping them. The LOHM has been an intricate part of both her professional and personal life during her reentry. The LOHM's mission is dear to her heart. She has a degree in Human Services and uses her lived experience with her education to show up for her community. Ayana's journey serves as an inspiring example for those who have faced similar challenges and are seeking a beacon of hope. She stands as a light of hope and purpose for others.
Isaiah Stewart
Rapid Rehousing Case Manager NOLA
Isaiah Stewart serves as a Rapid Rehousing Case Manager in the New Orleans office of The Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM). In his role, he is responsible for locating housing, building meaningful relationships with landlords to house clients, meeting with clients to complete paperwork, obtaining vital documents, and connecting them to community resources. Additionally, he ensures that housing units meet appropriate standards and assists clients in maintaining long-term housing stability.
Isaiah's life has been directly impacted by incarceration through his father, who served several prison sentences, leading to many years of absence from his life. With over 13 years of experience in case management and drug rehabilitation, Isaiah pursued this path to develop empathy for his father and to understand that circumstances and addiction, rather than a lack of responsibility, contributed to his father's absence.
The Ladies of Hope Ministries became a natural fit for Isaiah because of their work with justice-impacted individuals. His commitment to this mission is deeply personal. In 2021, while Isaiah was actively seeking a new residence for his father, his father passed away in a halfway house after consuming drugs laced with fentanyl. This tragic loss became a driving force behind Isaiah's work. He finds purpose in giving others the opportunity for stability and hope before it is too late. Providing individuals with a second chance and the hope to fight for another day brings Isaiah joy and fuels his passion for service.
Evril Caesar-Mason
Housing Specialist New York
Evril Caesar-Mason serves as a Housing Specialist in the New York office of The Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM). She assists clients in securing safe housing, leveraging her experience from The Fair Chance Housing Organization, where she advocated for formerly incarcerated individuals and survivors of domestic violence. Her commitment to housing justice led to her recruitment by the Department of Homeless Services.
An active member of The Lions Club International, Evril has earned recognition for her humanitarian work and public speaking, gaining leadership skills and friendships through service. Her passion for helping others began in childhood, volunteering at an elder care home in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
As a survivor of domestic violence, Evril’s personal journey fuels her purpose. She credits her survival to God and brings empathy, resilience, and compassion to her work at LOHM, where she helps others rebuild their lives without judgment.
Ro'Tanya Fair
Case Manager-Peer Support Specialist
At The LOHM, I support, assist, and advocate for women facing hardship through our Hope House Transitional Housing Program. I have experienced the challenges of incarceration firsthand—impacts on my education, job retention, family reunification, and mental health—which motivated me to persevere by managing logistics operations and contributing in hospice care despite the obstacles of a criminal background.
As a former resident of Hope House NOLA, I experienced firsthand the safety and hope a supportive environment can provide. This journey inspires me to help other women by serving as tangible proof that change is possible, ensuring they know they are not alone on their path toward a better future.
Demetrice Morris
Housing Director
Demetrice is our Rapid Rehousing Case Manager Lead, managing LOHM's referral emails and coordinating with Housing Consultants and the Senior Leadership Team. She develops Individual Goal Plans for program participants using an Intensive Case Management approach and supports all Housing Case Management Staff. Growing up with incarcerated parents, Demetrice faced challenges in connecting with others, shaping her dedication to helping those in need. With over 10 years of experience as a Mental Health Therapist and Child Abuse Prevention advocate, she trains adults on effective child stewardship and is a National Facilitator for Darkness to Light.
Drawn to The LOHM by the CEO's vision and dedication, Demetrice believes that hardships are opportunities to discover inner strength. Her passion for helping others, regardless of their past, is driven by love and her faith in God, who has blessed her with a life she never imagined she was worthy of. Demetrice is committed to making a positive impact, believing that every individual deserves a chance to overcome adversity and succeed in life.
Contessa Riggs
HUD Housing Consultant
Crystal Minor
PGC Housing Coordinator
Crystal Minor is the PGC Housing Coordinator, responsible for overall LOHM house management. She ensures that participants adhere to house rules, remain productive, positive, and motivated to find stable housing, jobs, and other necessary resources.
An experienced project manager and advocate for youth and women, Crystal has a passion for helping others. She has gained valuable experience in community outreach, fundraising, and advocating against drugs and violence in schools and against women. Crystal is constantly seeking new opportunities to grow and learn, and she is excited to be a part of LOHM and work with like-minded individuals.
LaKeisha Williams
Rapid Rehousing Case Manager
LaKeisha Williams is a Louisiana native and a graduate of Southern University and A & M College, holding a Bachelor’s of Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Psychology. As a Rapid Rehousing Case Manager, she assists individuals facing homelessness by providing ongoing support in locating and maintaining safe and stable housing, along with ongoing case management. Prior to joining Ladies of Hope Ministries, LaKeisha worked with vulnerable populations as a Rapid Rehousing and Transitional Housing Case Manager for women and children fleeing from domestic violence. With several years of experience in social services, she has assisted individuals suffering from mental illness, drug addictions, behavioral and mood disorders, and those with special needs.
Being a part of LOHM allows LaKeisha to continue her passion for giving back to vulnerable communities. As a survivor of domestic violence and someone who has experienced single parenthood and growing up in an impoverished community, she has witnessed firsthand the effects of lack of education, incarceration, and lack of resources. Understanding the impact of support during difficult times, LaKeisha is dedicated to helping as many individuals as possible.
Crystal Scott, CPWA
Website Engineer
I am a dedicated Web Accessibility Engineer working in a contract role for The Ladies of Hope Ministries, where I update and maintain both The LOHM's main website (this one) and The LOHM Speakers site. With extensive expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a solid understanding of WCAG guidelines and best practices, I am committed to ensuring that our digital solutions are both accessible and user-friendly.
As a Webflow expert, I am excited to announce plans to rebuild this website on Webflow in 2025. This upcoming project will leverage Webflow’s robust tools to create a beautifully designed, fully functional, and inclusive digital presence that truly supports our community. I am proud to be a graduating fellow of the Pathways 4 Equity program and a justice-impacted female. My lived experience has provided me with firsthand insight into the transformative impact of this dynamic organization.
WE’RE CREATIVE
WE’RE PASSIONATE
WE’RE THE SOLUTION
