Our Story.
What brought us here?
THE SHOCK
From 2016 to 2020, while our son struggled with alcoholism and addiction, he was arrested for DUIs, felony eluding, and probation violations. Before his first arrest, we had never experienced having a family member incarcerated; it's a shock when it happens. One moment, your life is ordinary; the next, you’re navigating the many hurdles of the criminal justice system.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Incarceration ripples far beyond the individual, creating economic hardship through lost wages and legal fees and disrupting family routines and caregiving responsibilities. It also breeds grief, shame, anxiety, and broken trust that often linger long after release. Socially, families confront stigma and diminished community support, deepening isolation and restricting access to housing, employment, and services.
THE REALIZATION
We were fortunate to be able to support our son financially while he was incarcerated, but our experience revealed how many families lack that option. Even basic communication is costly: phone calls, video visits, and email services provided by institutions often come with high fees. We couldn’t erase the social stigma or the emotional toll, but we could address the financial burden. In January 2020, that commitment led us to establish Inmate Family Assistance of the New River Valley.
