Hi! My name is Nicola, and I've been corresponding with my friend Michelle Rose since we connected through the Black & Pink pen pal program in 2017. Michelle is a Native American transgender woman who has been incarcerated since 2014 and is looking forward to her release this July (2021). Over the past few years, I have come to profoundly respect and admire Michelle's empathy, positivity, and tenacity, and I'm confident that these attributes will serve her well in the free world. As she reintegrates into society, she would really appreciate any financial assistance you can provide to help her get back on her feet. Below, Michelle describes herself and her goals in her own words.

__

Hi, my name is Michelle Rose. I am a 29-year-old transgender woman of Navajo heritage currently finishing up an 8-year sentence in the Arizona Department of Corrections for the unlawful use and theft of a vehicle and a marijuana violation. My release date is July 21, 2021.

I am reaching out for your support because I believe in the power of change and rehabilitation. I am seeking funds to find a stable place to call home, to ensure continuing access to gender-affirming hormones, to secure the professional help and therapeutic guidance I need to successfully readjust to the free world, and to pursue my dream of attending university. I aspire to earn a degree in psychology so I can become a therapist.

Unfortunately, the facility where I have been housed since fall 2020 does not have an education program. However, at my previous facility, I was able to complete several college classes in addition to Recovery Support Service training. (If you are unfamiliar with RSS, it is a program that helps recovering addicts build life skills and cognitive behaviors to support their sobriety and set them up for success.) With the help of my pen pal Nicola, I also spearheaded a program to help distribute basic cleaning materials and hygiene products to inmates during COVID-19.

My other post-release goals include providing help and mentorship to at-risk LGBTQ youth and giving back to my community by volunteering for local organizations and advocating for LGBTQ rights – particularly the rights of incarcerated trans people, because I have firsthand knowledge of the difficulties we face behind bars. As a trans woman housed at a males-only facility, I have experienced everything from lewd comments to physical attacks by inmates, as well as discrimination by staff.

I appreciate every ounce of your support to help me achieve my goals and dreams and to give me hope for becoming a productive member of society. If you would like to learn more about my time in the prison system, you may perform an ADCRR Inmate Data Search using the inmate number 287523 (I am listed under my legal name).

Thank you for your time and patience.

Kind regards,

Michelle Rose