Help change Juan's story!

Dear Friends,

I hope this message finds you all well.

I want to share a story about a 17 year old named Juan. Juan's mom was 13 years old when she gave birth to him. This pregnancy was a result of group rape. When Juan was five years old, his mother moved in with someone that she fell in love with.

What seemed like a positive restart for Juan and his mother was the beginning of a traumatic and violent childhood. Juan's stepfather started physically and psychologically abusing him. His actions were some of the cruelest of their kind, from tying him to trees in the backyard and keeping him from eating or drinking, physical violence, and not allowing him to attend school. Instead of schooling, they would have Juan sell things at stoplights to support the family. The actions taken against Juan were horrific, violent, and so numerous that it pains me to share them all with you.

Juan is my second cousin, and I just became aware of this situation this past December. I learned that Juan would soon be thrown into the streets as he could no longer live with his mother and no one else in our family was in a position to welcome Juan into their homes.

When I learned of all the suffering Juan had endured and now with no place to go, my immediate reaction was to take action and show Juan he is loved and cared for. The solution I landed was to find a boarding High School, where he would be surrounded by adults equipped to support teens and peers that would provide Juan some level of normalization.

I am happy to say, after a long search, applications, etc. Juan has been accepted into a boarding school where the faculty and administration are fully aware of his history and needs. They all expressed their willingness to make this place a home for Juan. He cried with happiness and gratitude when he learned that he would be given not only a new chance but the care and love he never had in his life.

I have started a fundraiser to help cover the cost of ALL THREE YEARS OF TUITION of Juan's boarding school. I strongly feel that if we can come together, we can give Juan a chance in life and change his pain and trauma to a life full of hope and opportunity.

This February 6th was Juan's first day of school. I wish I could describe his joy and enthusiasm from the very beginning of this process. From his meeting with his future teachers, shopping for his school supplies, to meeting his dorm mates - it was like seeing a child receiving their very first gift.

I would love to have your support in giving Juan a second chance if you feel this is something you can do at this moment.

Sincerely,

Juliana