Life has a way of bringing multiple trials at once, and right now, my family and I are standing at one of the hardest crossroads we’ve ever faced.

Due to a serious injury, I am being forced into an unexpected career path change. This has affected my sense of stability as a mother trying to keep everything together. Navigating physical limitations, uncertainty about work, and financial strain has already been overwhelming on its own.

I was a school bus driver for Special education students, including wheelchair students and got injured to the point I am now forced by the insurance company to make a change of career paths. I had a CALPERS pension as a state employee and loved helping these special need students, it truly brought joy to my heart seeing and helping them every day, but now I have to leave the career I loved.

At the same time, something life-changing is happening.

After 15 years of incarceration, my husband is coming home in 8 months, much sooner than we ever anticipated. While this is an answered prayer for myself and our 4 children, the reality is that we were not expecting his release to come so suddenly, and we are now trying to prepare in a very short amount of time along with me now being on disability.

My husband was incarcerated as a Youth just turning 21 and his entire life turned upside down receiving a 30-year sentence.

He had no murder charges, no attempted murder, no crime on children, no crime on women, no guns, no drugs and NO prison priors, yet he received 30 years.

The actual crime time was only 8 years but he was struck with 22 extra years of enhancement time. This was devastating.

His trial was 1 year long, and his attorney funds ran out, so he was given a public defender who failed him.

They removed all African American jurors from the jury trial despite them wanting to stay and they also did not allow him to speak on the stand which was his right due process.

After his old paid attorney found out he lost his trial, she came back on her own and tried to file an appeal for him without a request of compensation because she said there is no reason you should have lost this trial.

Unfortunately, the courts continue to deny every appeal he has ever sent in.

One did get approved before covid for a reduction in time based on illegal sentencing and then suddenly once covid hit his attorney called me and said " I know he was granted a time reduction change, but the courts took it back and denied it and I have never in my career seen something like this happen and I am so sorry for you and your family to deliver this news".

Now after 15 total years He is finally coming home in 8-9 months.

Reentry after such a long period is not simple, emotionally, financially, or logistically. Preparing for his transition means securing basic necessities, adjusting our home, clothing, transportation, counseling, reentry resources, and one major need we currently do not have: a reliable family vehicle. Having a dependable car is essential for work, medical appointments, family responsibilities, and ensuring his successful transition back into everyday life, plus my own trials with my work injury.

Trying to prepare for his return while facing my own injury and career uncertainty has been incredibly heavy. I am doing everything I can, but the weight of all of this at once is more than I can carry alone.

I truly believe The Most High, our Creator, has led me onto a social media path, not just to share my personal journey, but to raise awareness about incarceration, what it means to be “home” while carrying everything on your own, and to be a source of support for others walking this same road. Through sharing our story, I hope to remind others that they are not alone.

I believe everyone deserves second chances. Incarcerated individuals and their families need far more support than they are often given. Many believe they do not deserve second chances, but we choose to walk in faith, following our Messiah’s teachings to love our neighbor, to extend grace, and to lead with compassion. That belief is why I chose this path with my husband.. to be supportive, loving, forgiving, and committed to building our family together.

This is why I am asking for help.

Even $1 makes a difference.

Not because it solves everything, but because it represents community, hope, and people coming together. Every contribution helps us prepare for this transition in a way that gives my husband the best chance at success, helps us secure safe transportation, and gives our children the stability they deserve.

This is not about charity, it’s about second chances, restoration, and standing together.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page means just as much. And if you’re able to give, please know your kindness is helping a mother stay strong during one of the most challenging seasons of her life.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting our family as we step into this new chapter.

Click the YouTube link if you’d like to follow our journey and learn more about our story, you can find us at @ItsTrenaG .

Thank you for all of the love and support.