help family grieve the loss of Joel

Hello everyone,

My name is Andrena, and I am speaking on the behalf of my mother and my siblings.

We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our youngest brother, Joel German Mercado (16). He was the baby of our family and the one who kept us all in check. Joel was intelligent, stubborn and yet so sweet. He rarely left the house unless it was to spend time with his grandpa and pup, TJ, going on little adventures.

Joel was also the main caretaker for our grandpa. He loved cooking, encouraging others to get closer to God, and reminding us of all to take care of our bodies. He recently applied for his first job and looked forward to being more independent. He dreamed of traveling and was so excited for our upcoming camping trip, where he would finally get to try fishing.

Sadly, he will never get to experience those things as his life was tragically cut short due to senseless gun violence.

I never imagined I would outlive my baby brother. This loss has left a hole in our family and our hearts; the financial burden is something we were not prepared for. We are asking for your help any donation, no matter the size, will mean the world to us.

Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and for holding our family in your hearts during this incredibly difficult time.