ABOUT US
The Tale of Two Ivans
Ivan A. Long
Imagine being raised in a household where you had to figure out life on your own while shielding your siblings from the storm. As an adult, you poured that same protective energy into becoming a single father in the 1990s—navigating a world where men doing it alone was far from the norm, driven solely by the desire to give your only daughter everything.
Over the years, the hard work paid off. You found love, built a beautiful, blended family, bought a home, and finally achieved stability. But life has a way of shifting. A painful divorce brought that chapter to a close. Years later, an even greater test arrived: you survived a massive heart attack, only to face the devastating diagnosis of End-Stage Heart Failure. Yet, even in the fight of your life, your spirit remains unbroken. You are still fighting, still hoping, and completely determined to live every single moment to the fullest.
Ivan A. Long Jr.
Imagine being the son of a man who built the foundation and handed you the
building blocks for a flawless future. You had it all—a stellar football record, popularity, and the financial backing to conquer whatever came next. But as you grew, pride and independence took over; you didn’t want handouts. You wanted to carve out your own name.
Fast forward a few years. You’re trying to build a family on a rocky foundation, carrying the heavy expectation that a man must provide. But the world only offers you dead-end jobs that can't cover rent, you have two babies to feed, and an eviction notice is staring you down from the front door. Panic sets in. Survival mode takes over—leading to a desperate choice, an armed robbery conviction, and a lengthy prison sentence. Now, the gates have opened. You are stepping into a new normal; in a world that moved on without you. The moment those gates opened, reality hit fast. No phone, no ID or identifying documents. Every job application, apartment, and the stigma from a community that shuns you sets you further back from where you started. The odds are stacked high, and a criminal record blocks almost every path. You don’t know where to start, but amidst the uncertainty, you carry one quiet, unbreakable driving force: hope.
OUR WHY
The “Why” behind Ivan’s House of Hope, Inc.
These are the narratives of my father, Ivan A. Long, and my youngest brother, Ivan A. Long Jr. Their lives inspire the very foundation of what we do.
Nationally, roughly 62% of people leaving prison are rearrested within three years, and 39% return to incarceration (Kang et al., 2026). Why? Because the system lacks the vital re-entry services needed to eliminate the immediate threats of homelessness, unmanaged mental health symptoms, and basic survival needs.
At Ivan’s House of Hope, Inc., we are changing that narrative. We provide the blueprint,the resources, and the community to ensure that the odds are no longer stacked againstyou. Because where there is hope, there is a way forward—and your strength is forgedin the struggle.
Welcome home,
Chimere D. Williams, LCSW
CEO, Ivan’s House of Hope, Inc.
Chimere Williams
MEET THE DIRECTOR
When I envisioned Ivan's House of Hope, Inc., my goal was simple yet profound: to create a true sanctuary for individuals impacted by incarceration and other barriers to stability. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I live by a core belief that shapes my entire practice: your strength is forged in the struggle. I know firsthand that the hardest seasons of life can become the foundation for a person's greatest transformation. Driven by deep empathy and extensive clinical expertise, I designed a holistic framework that wraps around the whole person.
Under my dedicated guidance, Ivan's House of Hope, Inc. offers a safe space where individuals can access professional mental health support, recovery resources, education, and workforce training. My therapeutic approach focuses on healing the root causes of instability, helping people honor their struggles while building the tools needed to achieve a self-sufficient, joyful life.
For me, this work is deeply personal. It is about standing side-by-side with our neighbors, combining clinical care with community love, and proving that your past does not define your future. True empowerment begins when we meet people with healing instead of judgment. At Ivan's House of Hope, Inc., we provide the right support to transform barriers into breakthroughs and help every individual find their path to self-sufficiency.
— Chimere Williams, Founder, LCSW
VICE PRESIDENT
Kashawn McRavion - Little
I am a licensed social worker, nonprofit leader, business owner, and community advocate committed to strengthening families and underserved communities. My passion for service is deeply rooted in my own experience growing up in foster care before being adopted.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Social Work and currently serve as a Social Worker II with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. I am also involved with Restoring the Promise, an initiative focused on strengthening child welfare practice and improving outcomes for children and families.
My community leadership includes serving on the Board of Directors of ECCO, as Ward 6 Democratic Chair in Lynn, Vice President of The Gifted Crate, and as a planning member of North Shore Juneteenth Association. I am also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. In North Carolina, my brother and I own a business providing services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As Vice President of Ivan’s House of Hope, I bring my lived experience, social work background, business leadership, and passion for community service together to help individuals overcome barriers, find hope, and build healthier and more stable futures.
SECRETARY
Kiosmary DeJesus
As the Secretary of Ivan’s House of Hope, Inc, I am dedicated to supporting our mission of restoring hope and creating opportunities for those impacted by the justice system.
As a certified chaplain, Army veteran, and former law enforcement officer, I bring a
unique perspective rooted in compassion, service, and accountability. I am passionate
about helping others rebuild their lives by connecting them with resources,
encouragement, so they can move forward with dignity, purpose, and hope.