From A Father's Heartbreak to Hope: Joshua's Journey

Hi, my name is Joshua Parra. I'm 36 years old, and to be honest, I only RECENTLY started truly caring about life—maybe a little later than I should have.

Six months ago, I lost my grandmother—the woman I loved deeply and cared for every single day when I wasn't workin 60-70+ hours a week. We weren’t just family; we were each other’s support system through some of the darkest battles imaginable. We both struggled with mental health—chronic depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, an overwhelming stress. In her final days, she often told me how much she just wanted to be with my grandfather again, who passed away over a decade ago. Watching her lose that light was heartbreaking, and when she passed, it shattered something inside me. On top of this I found out from a doctor that I have Stage 2 Decompensated Cirrhosis of the Liver and was diagnosed with 5 years left to live. Which brings me to my son.

I’ve tried to stay strong for my 6-year-old son, Dominic. He is my entire world, my reason to keep pushing forward even when everything else falls apart. His mother an I are no longer together, and my own parents have been out of my life for over ten years. Most days, I feel like I'm standing alone… but I’m still standing. An I’m still fighting. If I've only got 5 years left possibly, then I need to give him the best life I can.

But right now, I’m at the end of my rope. I lost my job, my home, and just recently, my car. I've been staying with a friend and paying rent week to week, but I can no longer afford even that. Without my car, I couldn’t get to work, and without work, I lost everything. If I can't raise enough to get back on my feet, I’ll be sleeping on the streets by Monday.

I’m not asking for help because it’s easy—this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I have a chance at something better: a job opportunity in Pennsylvania that could completely change our lives. It’s a six-figure position that would give me the chance to not only rebuild my life but finally give my son the stable, secure future he deserves. But I need help getting there—help to get my car back, help to get out of this spiral.

I know times are tough for everyone. But if you’ve read this far, an if you feel moved in any way, please consider helping. Every single dollar—every quarter, every dime—makes a difference right now. I’m just a father trying to hold on, trying to be better, trying not to give up.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.

With all my heart,

Joshua Parra