H.O.P.E. (HELPING OPPRESSED PEOPLE EXCEL)

Antoin Quarles is the founder of Helping Oppressed People Excel (H.O.P.E.). H.O.P.E. was founded to give men and women hope as they navigate the many barriers that can hinder a successful transition to life after incarceration. HOPE uses a combination of mentorship, service connection (job training, transportation, housing support) and client accountability. HOPE's primary goal is for participants to become advocates for those coming after them that need the same kind of assistance and support.

HOPE educates on policy and takes participants to Annapolis to help renentry relations on a state and national level. HOPE meets people where they are at and ensures their immediate needs are met. HOPE is with people through their entire transition until they are stable and become coaches for those coming after them. 

Antoin Quarles was a part of the Public Safety Compact (PSC) - a public-private partnership that connected those incarcerated with resources prior to and immediately after their release. When the PSC was closed in 2016 due to a technicality, Antoin and other members of the PSC refused to let the program die and founded HOPE. A formerly impacted returning citizen, Antoin Quarles recently celebrated 10 years out of incarceration - the longest time since his first charge at 12 years old. Antoin works as the sexton at Emmanuel Episcopal Church and his ability to lead by example and his personal experience of overcoming barriers associated with transitioning from incarceration to community is key to HOPE’s ongoing success. HOPE is proud of building community voices. 

Antoin has been extremely busy in the 10 years he has been home. He was awarded an Elevation Award from Baltimore Corps in 2017 which was an early part of his success with HOPE. He has spoken nationally on various panels at conferences including the Birmingham Corps & San Antonio Corps launches; provided training for Americorps members in Baltimore and nationally through Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Americorps - subjects included asset mapping, leadership & social change, and working with returning citizens in community. 

He has spoken at various universities including Yale, Coppin State, and Morgan State. At Morgan State, he spoke about oversight on spy planes in Baltimore City. He has provided testimony for numerous bills regarding returning citizens in Annapolis: the food policy bill around SafeServ certifications though Prince George’s County, the REDEEM act (HB0097) regarding expungement of recordsHe worked on the Value my Vote Campaign (HB0222) by creating and distributing video public service announcements about voting while awaiting trial.