Our History

The Liberation Foundation, originally known as the Terrance Lewis Liberation Foundation, was founded by exoneree Terrance Lewis after he returned home to Philadelphia in 2019. While spending nearly 22 years as a wrongfully-convicted juvenile "lifer," Terrance occupied himself with the dream of creating an organization one day that would help people like him. Very shortly after his conviction was overturned and he was freed, he did just that.

Officially established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in May 2020, The Liberation Foundation first began with Project RIC (Research, Investigate, Compile). In 2021, after partnering with undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania to receive funding from the university's President's Engagement Prize, TLF expanded its initiatives to include Project HOPE. The initial cohort of the reentry program was launched at State Correctional Institution Coal Township; a facility known to be progressive regarding education and rehabilitation. 

Now, The Liberation Foundation  advocates for wrongfully convicted Pennsylvanians through Project RIC, partners with universities and students across the East Coast, and offers Project HOPE at several male and female correctional facilities in Pennsylvania.