Samad's House Frontline Voices
February 2026 Newsletter
At the February 2nd ceremony, Mayor Johnson proclaimed, “This ceremony stands as a testament to what can happen when vision meets commitment, and when community comes together to honor excellence.”
Under Malik’s leadership, Samad’s House has become a vital part of Milwaukee’s efforts to treat substance use disorders and prevent overdose deaths, especially in Black communities most affected by the epidemic, demonstrating her impactful work and inspiring community support.
“In Black communities in Milwaukee and across the U.S., a recent decline in overdose deaths has not kept pace with white communities,” Malik says, noting that the difference in the rate of overdose deaths between Black and white residents remains large even though people use drugs at the same rates.
“Drug-related tragedies continue to devastate families and neighborhoods,” Malik adds. “Samad’s House is issuing an urgent plea to government leaders, private industry, and philanthropic organizations to ensure that all communities receive the funding they need to prevent overdose deaths. Every individual, every family, and every community deserves the chance to thrive and build a brighter future. Together, we can ignite change and transform Milwaukee.”
At 49, Delores Omole has faced experiences that could have broken her, but instead, they have shaped her into a savior for others. Today, as an ambassador for Samad’s House, she uses her voice and her determination to overcome a substance disorder and domestic abuse to inspire women who are navigating similar struggles.
Last fall, Delores arrived at Samad’s House in the depths of despair. She relapsed into alcohol and substance use and realized she was trapped in an abusive relationship. Her life spiraled out of control. “I completely lost who I was,” Delores recalls. “I didn’t know what love was anymore. My fear and anxiety were through the roof. I was isolated, broken, and numb.”
Her days were consumed by a toxic cycle of alcohol, substance use, and emotional pain. “I was drinking and smoking to die,” she acknowledges. “Every morning, I would wake up and think, ‘I woke up again.’” The weight of her circumstances pushed her to the brink, but she refused to surrender. A glimmer of hope led her to Tahira Malik, the founder of Samad’s House, one of the Midwest’s leading sober-living facilities for women and a harm-reduction hub.
Delores had been to Samad’s House years before but left prematurely, a decision she later regretted. This time, she was determined to stay and heal. “When I walked through those doors again, I was a hot mess,” she says. “But they made me feel safe. They gave me back my self-worth and showed me that what I was going through wasn’t normal—and it never would be.”
Founded by Tahira Malik in 2020, Samad’s House has emerged as a cornerstone in Milwaukee’s fight against substance use disorders and overdose deaths, particularly in Black communities disproportionately affected by the epidemic, even though their drug use is similar to that of whites. The organization provides a safe, supportive haven for women to rebuild their lives. With three homes and a behavioral health clinic, Samad’s House offers a comprehensive 120-day intensive program that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.
Black Balloon Day, established in 2016 by Diane and Lauren Hurley to honor the memory of Greg Tremblay—a Massachusetts resident who passed away from an overdose in 2015—has since become a nationally recognized event. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about addiction, advocate for improved treatment options, and combat the stigma surrounding substance use disorders.
“Each year, we commemorate those lives that were lost unnecessarily because of overdose deaths,” said Tahira Malik, CEO and founder of Samad’s House. “They did not have to die. This day also reminds us that lives can be saved with harm reduction services and resources, such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips. As we mourn those we lost, we also spread the knowledge that we have the power to save lives. We need to educate our community so lives can be saved.”
Malik said that black balloons will be displayed throughout the community outside homes, community centers, businesses, and retail outlets. Inside, prominent speakers will discuss progress and the challenges they face in preventing further deaths.
“We must ensure that all communities have access to the services and resources needed to prevent overdose deaths,” Malik said, noting that Samad’s House plays a role in dispersing harm reduction knowledge, resources, and services to the community, while also providing a haven for women in need of shelter as they overcome substance disorders.