Rising Stars: Meet Mona Evans

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mona Evans.

Hi Mona, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
My name is Emunah “Mona” Evans. I’m a Family Reunification Advocate here at Benevolence Farm. I am excited to share my personal story with you below. 

I grew up in Detroit to a single mother and three siblings. My early childhood was pretty normal until I was 5 years old when my father went to prison for five years. I never thought this trauma was something my own children would face. Yet, in 2019, I found myself sentenced to four-and-a-half years in a North Carolina state prison. Two years into my sentence, I realized I still had another chance, so I dedicated my remaining time to prepare for leaving prison and reuniting with my kids. I knew that I would need housing and employment. My partner recommended I apply go to a program called Benevolence Farm. I was picked up from Anson Correctional on May 2, 2022, by a Benevolence Farm staff member. 

Five months later, I prepared to move off the Farm and welcome home my kids. After a challenging and emotional search for housing that would accept me for my felony record, I signed my lease in November 2022 and picked up my son four days later. In December 2022, I reunited with my two daughters as well. 

Benevolence Farm will never truly realize the impact they had on my life. Their dedication and support I received gave me the tools and the ability to accomplish every goal. Benevolence Farm wasn’t just a reentry program — they became a family to me. 

I still struggle. My children and I have both changed from the trauma of being separated during incarceration. Still, my Benevolence Farm family supports me through it all. 

Now, I want to help other women with similar experiences. Earlier this year 2023, I started a new program called “Bonding Families” to support families harmed by incarceration by building community with one another and sharing resources. 

So today I’m working full-time at Benevolence Farm as an Enterprise Assistant (working alongside our farm manager and residents to make body care products and candles. Also, as the Family Reunification Advocate at Benevolence Farm, to support our residents, mothers, and families impacted by the criminal legal system. I facilitate in person support group meeting second Thursday of every month from 6 pm-8 pm at the Holy comforter church In Burlington. I use my voice to advocate for other with shared lived experiences as myself. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest challenges would be trying to find housing as a justice-impacted individual. Being overwhelmed with paying application fees when I know I’m not going to be approved or being charged double the security deposit because I have a felony conviction. 

Employment as falls right with finding housing. Prior to me becoming a full-time staff member, I was applying to numerous of jobs in which I was denied due to my criminal conviction. Jobs such as Walmart, Food Lion, etc. are just a few I applied for. 

My hardest challenge, which not only drained me emotionally but also physically, was reuniting with my children. Being a mother and being an away from your children for 4 years has caused trauma for myself and my kids. Reuniting with them was bittersweet but also very difficult. Learning how to parent again, how to despicable, and just working really hard to rebuild that Bond between a mother and her children. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as an Enterprise Assistant, where I assist our Farm Manager and Residents with growing flowers and herbs in reach, we infuse into an oil that we use to make our body care products and candles. I’m also the Family reunification advocate where I help our residents and women in our community reunify with their family and children. I also help families find resources, such as housing, employment, etc. I don’t consider myself a specialist in anything; I’m just a justice-impacted mother trying to make my life and others’ better. Something That I’m Most proud of is being hired full-time as a Benevolence Farm staff member, which gave me the opportunity to not only found but launch Bonding Families. Bonding Families is an in-person support group for families impacted by the criminal legal system. This group provides social and emotional support to caregivers and their children with incarcerated loved ones, as well as providing a safe space to share resources and create community connects. Free dinner and children are offered at every meeting. And last thing is utilizing the Housing First fund through Benevolence Farm to house Women in the community in the communities they choose by providing the financial funds to pay their security deposits upon approval to move into their new homes. 

How do you define success?
I define success by the people I’ve impacted in my work by helping them overcome challenges and barriers and promoting a healthy sense of well-being. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.benevolencefarm.org
• Instagram: BondingFamilies2023
• Facebook: Mona Evans
• Linkedin: Emunah Evans

Image Credits
Stacey Sprenzo