Lori-Ann Locke, Director:  Lori-Ann is a dedicated, life-long activist for various compassionate causes and as a result has developed impressive leadership, networking and fundraising skills.

She has successfully marshalled donor and community support for various campaigns and projects here in Connecticut.  She organized and promoted many large festivals and food/supply drives for local food pantries, homeless shelters and animal shelters; in many cases attracting nearly 1,000 attendees on a shoestring budget.

Lori-Ann brings to Ahopa extensive experience in community-driven projects and high level networking.  Her love for the residents of Pine Ridge inspired her to take an early retirement six years ago to work full-time on projects that benefit Lakota people.  She and her friend Jeanne formed Ahopa as a viable means of direct service to help those whose hardships have touched their hearts more intensely than can be described.

Ahopa Leadership

Jeanne Palagonia,  Co-Director:  Jeanne is an artist, activist and educator of Taino Indian ancestry.  As an artist and educator, Jeanne has provided hands-on arts learning experiences for children and their families.  Her programs have generally emphasized outreach to children in low-income communities that do not typically have wide access to the arts.

As an indigenous woman raised in a traditional native household, she has been a passionate advocate for the arts as an essential part of a strong and vital community. It is Jeanne's deepest prayer that Ahopa will one day be able to fund some children's art programs on the Pine Ridge reservation. 

Having been inspired by Lakota people her entire life, Jeanne's own art projects are often a celebration and expression of gratitude for their visionary leadership and generosity.

Jeffrey Locke, Project Manager, Home Repair Program

As a remodeling contractor, Jeff operated his own business from 1979 until 1992, when he accepted a carpentry position at Yale University School of Medicine, where he is still employed. 

While self-employed, Jeff's specialty was restoration work on victorian homes. Some of his projects won awards and recognition from the City of New Haven and several historical preservation organizations.

Jeff has a long history of activism and community service and has worked on projects for Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood Housing, Inc., The Playground Project, and the New Haven Food Co-Op, to name a few.

Jeff learned about living conditions on Pine Ridge through his wife, Lori-Ann, and wanted to help in a way that best uses his skills.  He looks forward to improving housing on the reservation for a few families this summer.

He hopes that funding will allow him to return each year to teach carpentry skills to the youth there and to improve the housing for as many people as possible.