Assist the Young Family in their Father's Passing

Dear friends and faith community,

We are writing to request your support for a family that has positively impacted so many people here in the United States and abroad.

We have known David Young, the oldest son of the Young family, for over a decade and have worked with him in various non-profit organizations, church youth camps, and personal development workshops. From joyous dinner conversations to meditation, martial arts, and transformational exercises, David has been a genuine source of love, compassion, and care for others.

Today, we reach out to you on behalf of David's family, to ask for your support as they heal and grieve their father's passing. Below is a message from David and his siblings, sharing their father's story and personal request.

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Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Strangers,

We are reaching out with heavy hearts to share the story of our father, Vincent Young, and to ask for your support during this difficult time as he transitions from illness to death. Our father has always been a beacon of love, strength, and dedication in our lives. Now, as he nears the end of his journey, we find ourselves in need of assistance to honor his legacy and support our family.

Battling Illness

About five years ago, we got the call that he had a stroke while on a trip with our mom, which was a shocking and difficult experience for our family.

He recovered and continued to live his life, but over the following years, he endured three more strokes.

About a year and a half ago, he was diagnosed with cancer. Initially, we were told that chemotherapy might give him five more years, but the treatment proved to be incredibly challenging physically, financially, and mentally, and the cancer showed no signs of slowing.

Recently, his condition worsened, and the pain became unbearable. After much consideration, my parents decided that entering hospice care would be the best option to keep him comfortable. My siblings and I came from across North America to be with him, and now our focus is on making his remaining time as peaceful as possible.

A Life of Dedication

Our dad grew up in Columbus, Ohio, during the civil rights era in the United States. Despite the adversity he faced, he always believed that a better world was possible, one where families could live and prosper together, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or any other differences. His belief in the strength of our differences and the importance of faith, strong familial relationships, and communities, shaped his life and ours.

He was always committed to making time for his family. He also spearheaded a performing arts group that worked in inner cities around the Midwest, promoting education and helping to keep kids off the streets. His dedication to building a better community was evident in everything he did.

A Mother’s Support

At 64 years old, our mom has been a pillar of strength throughout this ordeal. Despite a long career, the financial strain of caring for our father’s medical expenses, combined with her own health concerns, has left her with no savings. The burden of caregiving, working full-time, and managing a short-term rental business has taken a tremendous toll on her.

The lack of income during this critical time has made it impossible to cover the necessary expenses, and we are turning to you, our community, for help.

Our goal is to raise $45,000 to help cover the expenses during this period that cannot be covered by immediate family. The majority of the funds will go toward our expenses related to caring for our dad and helping our mom during her unpaid leave, including:

* Mortgage payments

* Food and daily necessities

* Medical expenses for our father

* Funeral expenses, including the death certificate, headstone, and cremation

* Care for our mother after our father’s passing, as there is no bereavement leave available to her

These funds will also give our mom time to grieve and process the tragic events facing our family properly; since the first stroke, she has faced one crisis after another while being the primary breadwinner and caregiver of her household.

Leaving the World Better Than You Found It

Our parents dedicated their lives to raising a loving family and building a healthy community. Despite not having much financially, they provided us with opportunities that were inaccessible to them. From martial arts to music, historical trips, and volunteering, they gave us the means to grow and thrive.

I remember my father working tirelessly, taking on multiple jobs to provide for us, and my mother, healing and helping others through her reflexology practice. They made countless sacrifices to ensure we had a better life, and now, it’s our turn to support them in their time of need.

How You Can Help

We never imagined needing a GoFundMe to cover expenses, let alone for such a heartbreaking reason. Any amount you can donate will make a significant difference, and even if you can’t contribute financially, sharing our story could help us reach our goal.

If you have any memories of our father, or our family, we would love to hear them. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can provide. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us during this difficult time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Young family

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We hope you will join us in supporting the Young family during this transition period. Your contributions, whether financial or through sharing their story, will help ease their burden and provide much-needed relief. All donations will be transferred directly to and received by Su Young.

Thank you all for your compassion and generosity.

With sincere gratitude,

Benito and Jonathan