Valerie Neal

Valerie Neal was born in Chicago, the middle child with six siblings. Her mother and extended family migrated to Chicago from Mississippi before she was born. As a child, Valerie and her family moved around often, staying with her Auntie Lois and other family members after a house fire took their family home.

Valerie describes herself as eager to grow up and experience adult things.  She struggled with substance abuse, but through her faith in God, she found the resources to get sober. 

Valerie worked for the city on a garbage truck for 20 years. During those years, she had five children. Her children's father was incarcerated when her children were young, and Valerie's mother stepped in to help raise them. Despite their best efforts to keep her children safe and on the right path, she lost one son to the streets, and another was killed due to circumstances outside of their control. 

Valerie came into the MAMAS family to find support for her youngest brother, Christopher Neal. Christopher was wrongfully convicted at 17 and has been in. prison for 28 years. MAMAS has been a tremendous supporter of her as she fights for justice.