Hello,

My name is Tobey Lee. I am creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my uncle, Bob Tran (Ouhan Chen), a peer mentorship leader for the Youth Offender Program at Avenal State Prison, and the community he has helped build inside.

Through his leadership, this group focuses on rehabilitation within the prison through education and community-based activities, including sports, art, and craft-making. They encourage one another to pursue academic programs, develop skills, and build a stronger foundation for life after release.

Now, as my uncle prepares for his release, we want to give back to the community he has been part of and help leave it in a better place.

Funds will go directly toward:

Funds will be distributed directly to incarcerated individuals’ accounts and toward verified educational expenses, helping remove financial barriers to growth and opportunity. We’re continuing a grassroots effort built from within, driven by the initiative and commitment of the incarcerated.

In the past, we raised funds that helped 19 incarcerated individuals earn certifications in wastewater treatment, creating real employment opportunities upon reentry into society.

Education creates real pathways forward. Access to higher education has been statistically shown to reduce recidivism rates and improve outcomes after release. This fund is about investing in that change.

If you believe in second chances, community, and access to education, we would deeply appreciate your support.

Thank you for taking the time to read and contribute.

"The Youth Offender Program helped me grow and give back. It has been very humbling to have young men trust me and openly share their traumas. Their commitment to putting forth the effort to learn, to acquire knowledge, to surpass any limitation placed upon themselves and others reaffirms that the incarcerated community, our community, is worth investing in. The power of education can enlighten even the hardest criminals to actively contribute to our authentic humanness. It is possible to forge lifelong friendships and healing memories that will live within us for the rest of our lives. That prosocial activities and social connectivity are embraced from learning the true meaning and pursuit of purpose, love." - Bob Tran

Below, I have also attached writing from individuals who are part of this group that the funds will directly support.