Sam Lewis

Sam Lewis is the Executive Director of the Anti Recidivism Coalition (ARC). Previously, Sam  served as the Director of Inside Programs. A former life prisoner himself, Sam understands the  various obstacles, challenges, and difficulties the prison and reentry populations face. In 2017,  Sam created the Hope And Redemption Team (HART), a first-of-its kind initiative he built from  scratch. The Hope & Redemption Team (HART) is a group of former California life prisoners  who go back into California state prisons to provide hope, demonstrate that redemption is  achievable, and to prepare participants for successful reentry into our communities. His work  directing the Hope and Redemption Team exemplifies what’s best about ARC: our desire to  reach and walk with those who have been most marginalized by society. 

Most Saturday nights, Sam leads the Hope and Redemption mentors who support youth currently  housed at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. These youth are facing potentially long prison  sentences. The unique mentors are trained in Transformative Mentoring and use a peer-to-peer  Credible Messenger model to encourage incarcerated youth to believe in themselves and pursue their education while incarcerated. 

Sam previously worked with Friends Outside Los Angeles County (FOLA) as Job Specialist, Case  Manager, Employment Programs Supervisor, and Project Director, roles that reinforced his  commitment to creating opportunities for formerly incarcerated men and women as they transition  back into society. In 2018, Sam was the recipient of a Bank of America Neighborhood Builders  Award, Uncommon Law’s Uncommon Heroes award, and 2019 Danger Man Award.