TOH History: The Evolution

I. A Beginning Rooted in Compassion

Translations of Hope began in 2018 as a small poetic project initiative by Reena Doss who created it at first to support the Food and Thought global outreach project hosted by Jared Pressner @forget_it42 at @Madpropslive under the banner of We Together Love. The idea was heartfelt and simple: invite writers to submit poetry in translation as a way of offering comfort, solidarity, and emotional nourishment to a world in need—especially those who were hungry, homeless, or hurting.

Drawing on her past experience working with translators, Reena began asking people from different parts of the world for translations to her poetry at first. The response was extraordinary. Submissions poured in from across the globe, with contributors sharing poems in a multitude of languages—each voice a beacon of light and longing. Soon others wanted their poems translated as well to offer to the cause and what began as a one-time act of service quickly transformed into a multilingual expression of hope supporting humanity.

TOH didn’t know it then, but that collective offering of words, compassion and kindness would become the seed of something greater: a growing, inclusive, and heart-centered creative center that would support mental health advocacy in very tangible ways.

II. Becoming a Community

A Lantern Of Pages

A small group of poetic colleagues—Julie Onoh, Aiden Bex, Linda Lokhee, Jared Presser, Lucija Hranjec, Bryan Edwards, Daniel Moreshi, and many others in the Instagram Community—encouraged the evolution of Translations of Hope from project to community in 2019. Lucija, in a gesture of immense kindness, created the very first logo, giving the project not only identity, but understanding its spirit.

During the global pandemic, a group of passionate mental health advocates came together to form what would become our first real heart circle: a temporary but powerful community of creators known as our Hope Dealers.

These volunteers curated poetry, prose, and personal narratives to help others feel seen, shared artwork, music, and photography that spoke when words could not, and offered motivational pieces, reflective book reviews, and heartfelt podcast conversations that invited openness, healing, and honest dialogue. This beautiful circle included Miriam Otto, Ismet Diab, Talitha Doss, Shruti Jaykumar, Nishadi Thantrige, Balaji V, Priscilla Dias, Ash Laperle, Timi Jolaoso & Arun Chandra.

III. The First Book Of Hope

In our first season of togetherness in 2020, TOH as a community wrote a collaborative book and we published it:

Magical Jar: An Artistic and Poetic Collaboration with Seven Friends

A work of deep connection, it remains a glowing reminder of how art binds, uplifts, and heals.

Authors: Miriam Otto, Ismet Diab, Talitha Doss, Shruti Jaykumar, Nishadi Thantrige, Balaji V & Arun Chandra + the quiet eight (Reena Doss) complied the book, added a write-up intro and quotes.

Though the formal community of TOH eventually dissolved, its heartbeat remains. Some members continue to walk beside Translations of Hope, and their steadfast belief reminds us: Hope doesn’t disappear. It transforms. It redefines what was into what is. But they taught us that being recognized for what they did to serve the community mattered and we found pleasure in creating this lantern of light with them. This book paved the way for the Golden Hours Bookshelf to be born, but each of these leaders taught us how to first hold a candle of hope, not alone but together for all of us to become lanterns for others.

IV. A New Chapter

A lantern has a way of giving us hope in the dark. Translations of Hope entered a solid landscape in August 2025 by becoming a center for mental health multilingual zines, rooted in introspection, impact, and inclusion. Each mini book has pieces that have faced themselves, let go of the projections of others, and still reached for the light. Selected works are translated into multiple languages, honoring the original vision of shared healing across borders, cultures, and hearts.

These special editions are released as Lanterns—in digital and print form. They are curated around a specific theme of mental health, healing, or resilience. They are multilingual editions to honour solo or groups' voices on the journey. Through this, we aim to keep hope both portable, powerful, and personal—a simple lantern you can carry anywhere.

V. Mental Health Advocacy

Translations of Hope was always meant to be a cause oriented world for mental health awareness through hope—a space where healing stories reach others in unexpected ways. In this new chapter:

While The Lanterns already have a solo multilingual zine—For You—of publications already released, other series publishing opportunities will be announced at the Prism Forum on IGP SHIP.

Select pieces from The Lanterns may be considered for future feature editions at The IGP Museum Galleries, especially when a theme emerges that links voices together. We believe Hope deserves many homes. And we’ll make sure yours is treated with care, every step of the way.

When you submit your work for consideration during the intake windows, if you are selected, we will contact you directly to confirm inclusion within two to three weeks. If your work is not selected, please accept our no reply as your answer.

VI. Hope Dealers

Honouring those who carry hope, even in their own darkness

Most people speak of those in pain. But we also honour the ones who—despite their own struggle—hold the light for others.

Hope Dealers are the behind-the-scenes warriors, artists, and advocates who have carried compassion, shared their truths, and created space for others to heal. Translations of Hope was born to hold them, too—not just their work, but them.

This is not a submission call—it is acknowledgement. TOH contributors are part of this circle.

If you’ve ever held space for someone else, your light matters. We offer a free downloadable certificate to honour Hope Dealers—whether it’s you, someone you know, or someone who inspired healing in your life.