Help Isaiah Go Home to DeKalb

After Hollis Jaelin and Jamari celebrated their marriage before family and friends on Dec. 18, 2021, they headed to their honeymoon in Orlando, Florida, eager to begin their lives together. They knew they were expecting a son in April 2022, but neither one of them anticipated that Jamari would be admitted into the hospital 3 days into their vacation, or that Hollis Isaiah would arrive 7 days later.

Precious Isaiah was born early at 27 weeks. Premature and weighing 1 lb. 2 ounces, Isaiah continues to make progress in the neonatal unit of the Orlando hospital where he was born. Meanwhile, his financially and emotionally overwhelmed parents were fortunate to obtain free lodging at the local Ronald McDonald House, which services parents with hospitalized children.

It would be nice if this was the end of the story, but it is not. Jaelin and Jamari must remain in Orlando while Isaiah is hospitalized. Because of COVID-related restrictions at Ronald McDonald House, they will not be able to work during their stay in Orlando, which is expected to run through mid-April. They currently have no jobs and no source of income.

They are blessed that Isaiah is making progress, but the mounting financial strains are daunting as they try to plan around this medical and financial emergency and prepare to return to Dekalb. The strain is even more amplified because that planning must also include an apartment for them to reside in when they return.

Jaelin and Jamari are struggling to navigate being new parents in a state over 1,500 miles away from their Illinois home and much-needed family support. They are asking family and friends to donate to their fund to help defray mounting financial pressures. Your donation will provide this young couple with financial assistance to cover:

• A better used car for transportation in Orlando.

• Help with bills and food.

• Rent to secure an apartment upon their return to DeKalb.

Thank you for your generosity.

Remember, your contributions will help Isaiah go home.