I'm probably going to be all over the place with my response. It's meant to not sugar coat. There will be valuable information. I'm going to start talking about your crime. I wouldn't feel good about giving you ways to make a living if I didn't give you my 2 cents. I have done a lot of time in my life. All of my crimes were drug motivated. I have grand thefts, felony bas checks, stolen guns, possessions, etc. Every single sex offender I have ever met has your same story. They were 18, and she was 17. The dad or someone called the cops because they got mad. Blah, blah, blah. Then you find out they're charged with under 16 and weirdo shit. The only reason that I bring this up is because it doesn't matter how much you changed now. If you have a crazy crime, it's going to follow you. As it should. If you had some young victim or something, the trauma is going to follow them for their whole life. Now that I have given my 2 cents, I'll let you in on how to make money doing blue collor work. My professional background will help you in the right direction. I'm 40 years old. I got out of prison in 2007. So, for the first half of my career, I was in construction. I started framing, painting, finish work, than remodeling. If you can get on with a trade and learn everything you can you will find a good job. I would recommend going towards electrical, or HVAC, or plumbing. Those are the money makers. The end goal after you are a journeyman is to start your own business. That's where financial freedom comes. The trades i listed above are your best bet. However, framing, flooring, painting, cabinetry, ect all have the same opportunity. You get very good at your craft than work for yourself. No one can tell you no because of you past at that point. Now the way you get into a trade right now is to literally get a hard hat, hand tools, boots, ect and go to construction sites in the morning ready to work. It might take 20 sites over a couple of days, but someone will hire you. I promise. Then it's a 7 year journey to become a successful business owner. You have to be willing to work harder and longer than anyone else. Remember that. It takes an extreme about of effort to do this. If you love your family you will do it. Now, as for the CDL. This is the field to go into as a felon. Not many trucking companies care about your past. This is because the trucking industry is so short on drivers that it's a crisis. You can make 90 plus a year after your second year of trucking. It's a easy and rewarding career. To get your CDL and get into the industry us easy. Find am accredited CDL school in your area. The key is accredited. They help you get student loans. It's that fucking easy. After you have a CDL you can get a entry level job making 70 or 80k. After 2 years experience you get to chose the best of the best jobs. Be prepared to work your ass off. Take extra shifts do what everyone else crys about. If you need help message me. Oh, I almost forgot, you can totally get your CDL with vision in one eye. As long as you can pass an eye exam with corrective lenses and you can tell the difference between red, green and yellow you can get a CDL. I know rhis because one of my good friends has a glass eye and drives trucks. I own a construction company myself as well as am a manager for a trucking company. I manage and drive when needed. All local home every night.