Hello Friends,

I am starting a GoFundMe for my sister, Delia. She is the young girl making a face at some Easter candy in 1988. I am in the middle, the older sister, and I am holding my youngest sibling. I am sharing this picture because it's the only one I have of us. We come from a large family, and we usually take group photos. And we live in different cities. However, it shows our history.

However, our story is about how we are all rallying support for my sister, Delia, who is now in her 40s and about to be released after serving 4 months.

Delia is a single mom, and for single mothers, reentering society is incredibly challenging, marked by significant barriers to employment, childcare, housing, and maintaining family connections, often leading to further struggles and cycles of incarceration. The stigma of incarceration, trauma, and lack of support systems are just a few of the things facing Delia when she gets released.

Delia and I have discussed how she can find stability right out of the gate to regain her footing. She will leave prison with nothing. She has been working in prison for a few dollars an hour for the things she needs on the inside, but not enough to grab anything. She will get her tax return to help with fines and the first few weeks out as she will stay with our elderly parents. She has around $7,000 in fines and fees to pay off, and it's a significant burden. I am helping her secure a job and possibly a room to rent by May. My youngest sibling and her partner have been fostering her 10-year-old son for the past year, and Delia would love to be able to repay them financially for their generosity in this situation.

Delia is allowing me to tell you why she has been in prison for the past four months. She is serving time for making a poor choice in driving under the influence as she suffered a relapse from narcotic and alcohol addiction. This is not her first time. But this time is different as she has been actively tackling some underlying mental health issues for the first time. Delia is extraordinarily strong-willed, and I have seen her these past years grow and unfurl her trauma roots to understand better the cycle she has been in. I hope that with advocacy and support, she will find peace.

She has been in recovery while she has been there. She wants to continue a program upon exiting and desires a new, meaningful life outside of addiction and to develop the courage to try new things.

Delia is a fantastic cook. My youngest sibling, who has mean chef skills, has given her so much knowledge in this area. They had been catering markets and parties. I once saw an incredible focaccia bread she had baked with an edible flower scene that was inspired. She hopes to continue this or work in a restaurant.

She is also a talented tattoo artist. She told me that if you donate, she will draw a tattoo for you if you wish her a thank you.

So, incarcerated mothers often lack a strong support system, which can make it difficult to navigate the challenges of reentry. I wanted to help her out financially to allow her to continue to address her substance abuse and find her footing.

If you know of any support programs in Arizona, advocacy programs, etc., please leave a note.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ann

She is one of the strongest people I know, but she absolutely cannot do it alone.