Helping Fabian find Hope after Homelessness

As a first-generation Mexican American and a former incarcerated individual, I have faced my fair share of obstacles. However, I am determined to rise above my past and become a productive member of our community. During my time in prison, I dedicated myself to personal growth and education, helping many fellow inmates achieve their GED goals. This experience ignited a passion within me to make a positive impact in society, which I continue to pursue.

The Current Crisis:

I understand that providing support for a legal defence can cause some hesitancy, so I’d like to offer as much information about the current situation as I appropriately can.

A previous partner of mine had placed a restraining order on me that originated from a situation that she in fact admitted to the courts was a lie. The courts kept the no-contact order but amended it in such a way that allowed me to access the surrounding 1000 feet area so long as it pertained to my work in the market. Due to the original accusation causing many rentals to deny my application pushing me into homelessness, I had been staying at a friend’s apartment who generously offered me his spare room. Earlier this year I got an opportunity to apply for housing close to my job that was subsidized for folks who work in the market. This was a big moment for me. Since leaving home at 18, being incarcerated, and struggling through homelessness, this was my chance to have something of my own, a safe place to land. Of course, the no-contact order was still hanging over my head. I wasn’t sure if the fact that the housing was subsidized through my work would make it allowable through the specifics of the order allowing me to be in the area if in connection to my job. The application required a background check so naively I applied assuming if it was going to be a problem I would be denied and otherwise I was okay. In retrospect, I wish I had been more conscientious, but I was so hopeful for this new life.

I lived in the new apartment for a few months and started this new life completely from scratch. The first night I slept on the floor and bit by bit I began to make it my home. I felt relieved and safe, and yet something in me was afraid to settle in fully; anxious that this could be taken away from me. My ex-partner must have heard I was around and began to behave in a way that suggests she was attempting to trap me in a violation. Sadly not an unlikely tactic as she clearly has not understood the gravity of the impact my past incarceration had on me and how detrimental going back will be to me. I was told she would enter businesses I was connected to through my work seemingly looking for me then leaving when I wasn’t there. She handed out partial copies of the no-contact order to businesses in the area attempting to defame my reputation in the community as a reliable, kind, hardworking individual. One way or another she discovered where I lived and called the cops for violating the order based on the location of my apartment. The no-contact order was set to expire in 30 days, and my apartment was just 175 feet short of being in a safe distance. I was arrested and thrown into jail as my family and loved ones scrambled to understand what was happening. Amazingly, my employer paid to have me released on bail. Though I intend to pay him back when I am able, I am deeply touched and moved by the trust my community has in me through this. While in jail, a public defender advised that I plead guilty. Because the violation was my place of residence it would not be difficult to prove, and due to my past incarceration if I went to trial and was found guilty I was risking 5 years in prison and a felony charge. This was not an easy decision, truthfully, I cried as I agreed to follow his advice.

When I was released on bail I was released with no phone and I was not legally allowed to re-enter my apartment for anything other than to pick up some belongings with a police escort. Due to this case, my ex was able to renew the no-contact order, this time for 5 years and with no amendments allowing me to work. Though relieved to be out of jail, I was now homeless again. I had lost the home I had worked tirelessly for, I could not work and I lost promotion opportunities due to this situation. Luckily my job has multiple locations and has allowed me to work some limited hours in stores outside of the protection order zone to help me survive these next few weeks. I borrowed phones where I could to contact my loved ones, and my friends and family rallied around me and supported me in places to stay while I awaited sentencing.

In the past, I have only ever had a public defender. This has felt like my only option. Someone very dear to me felt that I needed a real defence lawyer, someone to truly be on my team. This person has already paid for an attorney to show up to my first sentencing and I can already feel that I am being truly defended. When it feels like the world is against you, it is deeply impactful to feel that someone is fighting for you, it has reconnected me to my hope. The prosecution showed up with “new evidence” which had not been shared with the defence yet, which is illegal in court proceedings. Thanks to my defence being taken seriously this time around, we have arranged a second hearing for July 26th. At first, riding high off of feeling that I had a true team behind me, I am now back in the reality of homelessness, losing all of my belongings, and being unable to continue to pay the attorney’s bill. It is in this vulnerable state that I reach out to you, seeking your compassion and generosity. The attorney has generously offered me a very discounted rate both due to his involvement in only sentencing and due to my financial situation. I will need to provide $1500 USD to him in addition to the $750 USD my loved one has already generously paid on my behalf with direct instruction to not be repaid.

Fundraising Goal Breakdown:

I have placed the goal for this fundraiser at $5000 USD. Asking for help feels difficult and in some ways shameful. But I have already been overwhelmed by the love and support my community has offered me and I am learning that there is no shame in needing support.

The $5000 is intended to cover these costs, and of course, I will continue working as much as I can to continue to provide for myself.

$1000 to pay back my boss for his generosity in paying my bail. Being released has allowed me to come at this situation with hope and feel the love and support of my community behind me. If not for this act of kindness, I would still be in jail awaiting my sentencing as my outgoing calls continued to drop and I lost hope of my future

$1500 to pay for the attorney to come to my next hearing and fight for a sentence that does not include jail and amending the no-contact order to allow me to live and work in my community peacefully.

$2500 to help me get back on my feet. If I am unable to regain access to my apartment and job I will need to find new housing, new work and new belongings.

If we make more than this we will decide based on circumstances at the time if there are continued valuable uses to this money and if I am back in a safe space we will donate the remaining to others in need and update you all on where it went. One thing I hope to do is invest in my own mental health as this years-long experience has taken a significant toll on my mental and emotional wellbeing so maybe if there is more than I expect I can pay for some therapy :)

Reality Check

The truth is, in a case like this, we can rally all we want and I still may serve time. Though I know this will break the hearts of my loved ones and will be significant obstacle for me to overcome, going in knowing that I am loved and supported by not only my community, family and friend but the kindness of strangers will mean more than words can describe. Prison and jail are lonely places. If you can get out alive the next challenge is to hold onto hope - thank you for helping me stay connected to who I really am, not who the system wants me to be.

THANKYOU!

I want to express my deepest gratitude for considering supporting my cause. or even just reading this far Your belief in my potential to rise above adversity and your willingness to extend a helping hand mean the world to me. Together, we can turn this difficult chapter into an opportunity for growth, resilience, and a brighter future. Your generosity, no matter the amount, will make a significant difference in my life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compassion and for standing by my side during this challenging time.