Spriggs Family Ask ~ Supporting Mamma and BroBro

***This Is An Updated Post - Made 2/21/2023***

Hello Good people!

I pray you are well in these moments.

I must start out by saying THANK YOU! In about 4 months, including cash and money app donations, people have given $7,500!!! This is incredible. Beautiful. We are so grateful. So so grateful. And we are energized and inspired by this, holding steadfast to our goal!

We have about $7,500 left to reach our goal of $15k:

For the 7.5k we have raised, we split in half. If the goal is reached, we will split ⅗ to my mother, ⅖ to my brother.

~ $9,000 of the money raised will be for my mother Joilette, to pay off the loans she took out for my younger brother David. He is unfortunately on a complicated journey with the criminal justice system right now ~ he was part of a case in which he pleaded guilty and received 2 years probation.

~ $6,000 will support David’s moving costs, court fees, furniture, bill money, and time and resources to tend to his mental health and occupational needs.

Can you please support our family by contributing to & sharing this GoFundMe ?

OR

Venmo: @aaron-spriggs1

CashApp: $aaronspriggs1

We are hoping to reach this goal by the end of February. And with your support, this is more than possible!!

The Story:

My younger brother David got caught up with the police some months ago.

He got arrested, his bond was $5,000, with lawyer fees coming to about $8,000 so far~ making total monies borrowed & spent about $13,000 (with hopefully about $4,000 of the bond coming back to my mother sometime soon). 

My mother did not have the money, so she took out loans. As the main breadwinner, she provides for the family and many others, and has been for many years. This was the case even before my father passed- when he was dealing with his depression, addiction and recovery. I am raising this money so that my mother is alleviated of this financial pressure, and so that my younger brother can have support as he embarks on this new journey!

We’ve had a rough go at it, our family. And to be honest, in many ways we haven’t served my brother. As a family, as a community.. society at large. He had many needs met, but was often neglected and endured immense levels of shame and judgement for making do with the cards he was dealt. This is how he grew up~ this, plus the general consequences of growing up as a young Black man in America.

My brother is a brilliant, caring person with an entrepreneurial spirit. He's an artist, a thinker, a generous soul. If only you could know. (Maybe soon you will! And maybe you do!) I'm proud of him, of his heart and mind. He is wise for his age; that wisdom has come from deep roots of love and pain. I aim to hold an unconditionally loving and caring space for him here, which is what a third of the ask will support~ moving costs, a few months' worth of bills, and a boost to support him as he settles into this new chapter.

He has wanted to move out here for years, and he is feeling more ready than ever to come out and spend time with big bro and the environment & people I got around me (both truly beautiful). Plus, Oregon is just much different than Michigan in so many ways. He sees possibility for himself out here! And there is possibility ~ I feel grateful and honored that I get to help steward this transition, and excited that we will be living in the same city again!

Because of the circumstances revolving the case, he has been sentenced to 2years probation, and he will have the chance to keep a felony off his record if he doesn’t have any run-ins with the police. We are not looking for legal support, merely financial resources to support this transition. His transferral requests have been approved and he will be out here very soon!

He is fully aware of his situation, and that is why we are made this concerted effort to get him out here. He is ready to grow further into the man he is becoming, and have some space to breathe in a new environment.

My family is the most valuable offering that this life has given me. They are such beautiful humans. My heart aches and expands when I think of what my brother has been through, and is going through now. And when I think of how much my mother has sacrificed for our family. I love my family so deeply, and I will do everything in my power to help secure our wellness. And I see wellness on the way. We are entering a new and exciting chapter. Thank you for helping us.

~

The generosity is overwhelming. Every single donation, big and small, is greatly supportive, and greatly appreciated ~ significant contributions being literally life changing. 

Financial resources are abundant in our communities, and we hope to continue connecting with those who have them, and be supported by those who are able.

I am asking Creator, and I am asking you... please support us as we deal with some of the most challenging times we've ever had to deal with, and help propel us into a new future.