Fighting for My Family’s Future After Unimaginable Loss Hello, my name is Winona. I am 47 years old, one year clean and sober, and now raising my late brother’s two young sons, ages 3 and 6, all on my own. My story is one of tragedy, survival, and hope. It’s not easy for me to ask for help, but right now, I have no choice. These boys are depending on me. --- The Day Everything Changed On October 15, 2021, my younger brother, Robert Maness, was murdered in cold blood by local police in Anderson, South Carolina. That day shattered our family. My world went dark, and the pain drove me deeper into addiction. Jayce, Robert’s little boy, was only 2 ½ years old when he lost his father. His mama, already battling her own demons, slipped further into addiction and gave up custody. By the end of that year, Jayce had lost both of his parents. Then came another heartbreak: in 2022, Robert Jr. was born, six months after his daddy’s death. He never got to meet him. His mother has not been part of his life either. She gave up custody. These two innocent boys—who deserved nothing but love and stability—were raised by my parents, their Nana and Papa. Through out their lives that was their safe place. But tragedy was not done with us. --- Loss Upon Loss In May 2025, my dad suddenly passed away. Just days later, my mom was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison. In less than a week, Jayce and Robert lost the only stable caregivers they had left.The closest thing they had to parents.They were loved by their Nana and Papa! Gone.... Jayce, at only 6 years old, had already lost his daddy, his mama, his Papa, and now his Nana. Robert Jr., just 3, lost his daddy before he was born, his Mama who walked away just after he was born. And then his Nana and Papa—the only parents he had ever known. That’s when the unexpected happened. I was given full custody of my brother’s boys. I became a Mama again in the split second my Mama decided that I was the one to have the babies! --- My Battle and My Promise I won’t sugarcoat it: my life has not been easy. I started battling addiction as a teenager and for decades, it controlled me. But in September 2024, I went to rehab determined to change—for myself and for my family. On September 7, 2025, I reached a milestone I never thought possible: one full year clean and sober. 💜 Since then, I’ve been fighting every single day to give these boys the love, stability, and safety they deserve. I also have four adult children and four grandchildren (with one on the way). Jayce and Robert are growing up alongside them, more like siblings than cousins. That’s why they call me Grandma—because to them, I’m not just their aunt. I am their grandma, their safe place, and their only constant. --- Why We Need Help Right now, we are surviving in an old, rundown single-wide trailer. It’s falling apart, unsafe, and not a place where children can thrive. What we desperately need is a stable, clean home where these boys can grow up safe, healthy, and free from the fear of losing everything again. I’m doing everything I can—staying strong in my recovery, caring for these kids, and trying to provide for our basic needs—but I cannot do it alone. We urgently need help with: Safe, stable housing Groceries and basic necessities Bills and childcare support Every dollar given will go directly to building stability and security for these children who have already lost so much. --- How You Can Help When you donate or even just share this story, you are not just helping me. You are giving Jayce and Robert a chance at a better future. A future where they can grow up surrounded by love, without the fear of losing the roof over their heads. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading our story, for standing with us, and for helping us fight for a brighter tomorrow. ❤️ With love and gratitude, Winona