Help Michael Garcia Succeed!

Meet Michael, a young man from Denver.  Michael was kicked out  by his parents at age 14 because he's gay.

He tells his story on the attached video and also below, which I first saw on a public Facebook page in response to a post about homeless youth:

"My parents kicked me out when I was 14 because I am gay. I'm 18 now. 

I went through my entire high school years without my parents. I graduated and I am doing really well in life. Is it hard? Absolutely! But I never turned to drugs or alcohol. I focused on school and my future. 

It is probably the hardest thing I will ever have to face in my life, but I don't let it affect me anymore because I believe you can be successful and happy in life without your blood family. 

It does get difficult when the holidays come around and you don't have anyone to spend them with. But I think of "family" as people who support you and love you no matter what goes on in your life. I believe you create your own family. 

I want to show other young people that no matter what happens in your life you can always be positive and achieve amazing things! You do not need your parents; you just have to believe in yourself."

I was amazed at the number of "Likes" that Michael's post received and it was heart-warming reading through all the many comments and seeing how much support was out there.  I was also saddened that parents would do such a horrible thing to their child. 

As I've gotten to know Michael better I've learned that he's a young man of many talents. Even with all the adversity he's faced in his young life he managed to excel in school, was involved in extracurricular activities including becoming captain of the cheerleading squad, served as a peer mediator and was a member of the national honor society.

Now that he's graduated he is in trade school and works two jobs. He was able to buy a car last year but it's very unreliable so he needs to rely on friends for transportation much of the time. 

By donating to Michael's fund you'll help contribute to his future, one where he hopes to help people. In his own words:

"I truly believe that everything happens for a reason - God has a plan for all of us."

Please join me in helping Michael by donating whatever you can and sharing this link. Thank you!