“Jawann Johnson, Executive Director of Thomas Ridley 1 Like Me, is a self-motivated and resourceful individual that is focused on removing barriers that negatively impact those who are justice-involved. He strongly believes that effective programming and qualitative resources can bridge the gap between the prison pipeline and reduce recidivism. Jawann is a strong business development professional with a drive to empower people and create meaningful and memorable opportunities. He graduated with a B.S. from Indiana University with a background in Criminal Justice. Born and raised in Indianapolis, he recognized the opportunity to enhance the current state of Community Transition Programs through the development of intentional growth, services, and resources that results in housing and employment for justice-involved individuals. To this day, Jawann is committed to changing the criminal stigma while reducing recidivism. With the increasing number of individuals becoming justice-involved, he believes we will be able to transform many individuals and families for the better. Not only will they be educated, but they will be prepared and have the knowledge they need to live a full life.”

Terrie’s impact grew even greater, and she naturally evolved into the esteemed position of 1 Like Me Program Lead. Terrie’s wisdom, resilience, and unwavering belief in the potential of every individual became the driving force behind the program’s success.

Today, Terrie continues to share her wisdom and resilience with the team, community, and program. She understands that true empowerment comes from within, and she works tirelessly to help individuals discover their own inner radiance. Through her leadership and unwavering dedication, Terrie has created a ripple effect of positive change, transforming the lives of countless individuals and inspiring them to embrace their own journeys of triumph.

Ashlee Johnson was born and raised in a hot spot zone in Indianapolis, Indiana. She attended IPS Arsenal Tech High School and obtained her GED in 2011. In 2014, she graduated from Kaplan College with a certificate in Medical Office Management. After watching the needs of her community grow, her passion for serving people was her second post- graduate study at IUPUI, Indianapolis. This is where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work in May 2023. To this day, Ashlee is driven by her desire to disprove her label as a “delinquent” by setting an example for others. Her motto is “Just because we start life off without an advantage, that doesn’t mean you cannot work towards your goals and dreams.” For this reason, Hope Hustlers Outreach feels like home to her. To Ashlee, everyone deserves a second chance and some even deserve third or fourth chances. She is through and through a hope hustler!

“Sara Varner is the First Assistant at the Indiana Federal Community Defender’s Office. Sara
has broad criminal experience ranging from direct representation of persons charged with major
felonies in the district court to post-conviction and habeas work. In 2017, Sara successfully
litigated a class action habeas lawsuit challenging Indiana State Prison’s sex offender treatment
program, which required admissions of guilt, as a violation of the prohibition against compelled
speech. Sara has personally argued dozens of cases on appeal before the Seventh Circuit. In
addition to her practice, Sara is a founding board member and currently the President of the
Board of Directors for 1 Like Me, founded by her former sentence reduction client, Thomas “Big
T” Ridley. These sentence reduction cases are a passion for Sara. She has personally reviewed
and/or litigated thousands of cases over the past decade, sometimes reduction sentences a
matter of months and a handful of times, turning life sentences into a trip home. Sara has a
deep love of storytelling and teaches writing at the IU McKinney School of Law and also serves
on the Seventh Circuit’s Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committee and the Circuit Rules
Advisory Committee. In her spare time, you’ll find Sara with her four daughters and often
chasing a Bernedoodle who has, inevitably, found another sock.”