Watch Brianna's video

Overview

I need help paying a traffic ticket so that I can keep my baby boy. This will help me because I qualify for a program where I'll be allowed to keep my baby and raise him - but in order for me to use the program I'm not allowed to have any outstanding fines.* If I don't pay for this ticket I risk losing my baby. Because I'm in prison I make only $14/month and have no way of paying for this myself.

My biggest challenge is that I'm pregnant with no access to resources and this $210 could possibly keep me from raising my children. I've been through a lot of things and I never seriously considered the things I need to do to get my life on track. Now I really want to.

* Sometimes we have to break our own rules. Typically Benevolent doesn't help with outstanding debts - however due to Brianna's circumstances we feel its the right thing to not risk a mother and her child to be seperated because of a $210 fee. 

My current situation is that I'm 8 months pregnant and in prison for the very first time. I really want to learn the I need to do to be a good mother for my son. I already chose a name for him and I decided to name him after my father. 

This is a wonderful program and I know it will really help both my son and me. If I get into this program I'll receive parenting classes, college classes, drug treatment, and counseling. 

I think of myself mostly as a good person who's made some mistakes - but I know I can change. Something interesting about me is that I love decorating desserts and if I get into this program I'll be able to cook for my son every day.

My goal is to be a good mother and to go to culinary school to become a pastry chef.

I'm only 21 years old and I've been through some very difficult things. When I was 12 I was raped and never got the help I needed and acted out in very bad ways. When I was 18 my father died from a heart attack...I'm in prison now and I've been sober for over a year. 

Thank you - if you help me I know I'll be able to help others in the future. It will make me a better person.

Watch Alexis's video

Validated

Validated by Alexis from CLAIM (Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers) (What does this mean?)

Brianna and I met recently when I learned about her predicament. We spent a long time together learning about her life and dreams.

I think meeting this need is important because it is possibly one of the biggest changes we have ever validated. With just a few hundred dollars, we will allow this mother and son to stay together and be a family. We will keep a child safe, give a young woman a chance to be a mother, and really give this family a better chance in the future.

This will move the Brianna's life forward by allowing her to keep her child. I can't imagine a bigger impact on a life. It will also let her have access to programs that will help her further her own life-- college classes, parenting skills, etc.

Brianna is so young and so sweet. She has been through so much. She deserves this chance.

About Alexis

My job title is Pro Bono and Staff Attorney. I have been in this position since April of 2012. My work involves helping incarcerated mothers, formerly incarcerated mothers, and the caretakers of their children. What I like about my job is I get to see families brought together. In the future, I… Read more