Second Chance – Alex’s Legal Fees

It could happen to anyone. One poor decision to hang out with the wrong people, or be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Alex made a very poor decision in October of 2017 and because of it, his life, his family’s life, and other family’s lives are changed forever. Alex has been incarcerated since then. He was granted a bond largely because of the large number of people that came to support him at the bond hearing and because he has no prior record or even issues in school. The bond was set at $500,000.

Anyone that knows Alex knows that this incident was completely out of character for him. Alex has cooperated with the police from the very beginning. It is out of character for his family too, a family that the Duluth community has grown to love and support largely because of the commitment of his mom, Barbara.


Barbara has been a basketball coach since her oldest daughter was about 9 years old. Everyone knows her as 'Coach Barbara'. She has coached hundreds of young children over the last 15 years with many of them being beginners at first, and going on to play high school basketball and for some, college basketball.


She has provided structure, discipline, time, support, encouragement, and love for those children that may not have always had it. Her commitment to this program is unlike any other and despite all her long weekends and late nights at practice, she has never once asked for or expected anything in return.

The reward for her, was seeing the development in these kids, the smiles on their faces, the hard work and sweat they left on the basketball court after giving it their all—this is enough for her kind soul. She recently received a text from a player in her college uniform with the caption ‘You started this!’.


But now, they need our help. You will not meet a family more deserving of our help. Alex’s future has been changed forever because of a choice he made. It will be a year to two years before Alex has a trial. Right now, it is important for Alex to finish high school. He wants to share his story with kids his age and even younger to prevent them from making the same mistakes. Any help, whether it be a few dollars or simply spreading the word, will be greatly appreciated. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as well. All monetary donations will go to help with Alex’s bail and legal fees.