Before I tell you the damn thing I did, let me tell you why I did it. I’ll start by sharing little of my story just incase you haven’t heard how or why supporting prison wives is such a major part of my life.
My husband was arrested in 2005. I was pregnant with my son and my daughter was two years old. We (my fiancé at the time and me) thought he would be able to bond out of jail. Well!! We were wrong!!! That 2005 day in March was the last time I saw my fiancé free. He ended up serving 14yrs of a 22.5 yr sentence. Long story short, I learned soooo much while I stayed by his side. I learned about myself, my husband, the system, the roller coaster emotions that come with the prison wife journey. I learned about parenting while he was incarcerated, how to cope without staying in a state of depression, prison marriage (we got married in prison), and so much more but most importantly, God. That was how we got through!!
My family made it through 14.5 yrs of incarceration and separation. There were days I just didn’t think that we would. On our last day of visitation, I walked away happy for us but sad for so many other families. This is why I chose to continue to support prison wives (Loyal Ladies). I couldn’t walk away knowing I may be able to help another family stay together.
This is why I’m asking for your help!! For the Lives of Prison Wives has entered a FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. I’m asking you to please vote for us so the that we can fund various products and services that will help keep families together through incarceration. As of now, we have an online support group via facebook; a curriculum for prison marriages; subscription boxes for Loyal Ladies and soon children of incarcerated parents; prison wife apparel; and, my book Prayers of a Prison Wife. My family has also become advocates for criminal justice reform.
Voting ends on March 24th. You can vote one time per 24hrs. So please vote and share with as many people that you can. It’s time for society to stop judging us and support our Loved Ones. They are human beings that deserve to be loved by their families despite their choice and location. We are families, and children of incarcerated parents deserve to know they’re loved regardless of distance.
It’s our time to SHOW UP and SHOW OUT for prison families!!
1 in 2 adults in the U.S. have experienced incarceration in their family. ~ FAMM
About 1.7 million children have a parent behind bars. ~ PEW
Click the link here to vote for For the Lives of Prison Wives
Small Business Grant Contest (fedex.com)
Hebrews 13:3 3Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Stay Strong. Beautiful. Unbothered.
Danielle Steele Williams