A Brighter Future for Andre

As we all know, social media can be a blessing and a curse. It allows us to share life’s sweetest moments, but it also can be quite depressing during times like this. I find myself looking for the positive stories in an otherwise fairly grim landscape.
In March, I joined a small local Facebook group that was designed to enable community members to “help others” during this uncertain time. In that group, I learned about a young man named Andre. He was a student at Joliet Junior College (JJC) and he had aged out of the foster system. With the pandemic, JJC was closing student housing and Andre simply had nowhere to go.
After discussing his situation, my husband and I decided we could act and help him, and we welcomed him into our home the same day. 
It’s been a unique adventure, but we’re so thankful we can provide him with a home, and a family he’s never had.
Andre was raised on the Southside of Chicago in a family ruled by domestic violence. His mother battled breast cancer his entire life, finally losing her fight when he was only 11. Due to additional traumatic events, he found himself alone and placed in a group home before he was 12. He was transferred between multiple group homes, never being placed with a family. Sadly, the system did not serve him well.
At age 18, he “aged out”, leaving with a garbage bag of belongings and began surviving on the streets. After a few attempts at employment, he finally found his way to JJC to better himself, and make a new path for his life. As things were finally settling into place, our world and his was turned upside with this global pandemic.
When we decided to take Andre in, we had no idea the life altering impact it would make...on everyone. He is finally looking forward to the future, but some of the things he will need, we simply can’t financially provide. We’ve been graciously helped in different ways by friends and the community, one of the most impactful was a lovely family that donated their son’s car. This vehicle will enable Andre to attend school, and he will be forever grateful.

There have been so many positive things happening for Andre, but we know that college, a vehicle and simply “life” comes with expenses. Leaving behind a childhood of trauma and uncertainty, Andre is ready to write a new chapter in his life and we need your help.

Your donation will help him have a brighter future and we thank you for your support!