Hi friends and family,

I’m sharing this because I want to do something really meaningful for my son, Jeffrey.

For the past five years, Jeffrey has gone by the name Jeffrey. It’s the name he feels connected to, the name everyone knows him by, and the name that truly feels like him. It’s also his late grandfather’s name, which makes it especially meaningful to our family.

Jeffrey was given a name at birth that includes the first and last name of Ryan Pennell, a biological father who has not been part of his life since he was a baby. As he’s grown older, carrying that name has become harder for him, and he’s expressed a strong desire for his legal name to reflect who he is and the family he belongs to.

Jeffrey would like to legally change his name from Ryan Casey-Jeffrey Pennell to Jeffrey Rose Jayubo — to honor his grandfather, to share the same last name as his siblings and me, and to finally have a legal name that matches the life he lives every day.

I could save up and do this on my own, but I thought it would be really special to invite the people who love Jeffrey to be part of this moment. Rather than a traditional gift, I would love for this to be something our family and friends contribute to together — a gift that supports his sense of identity and belonging.

Because the court process can take 3–4 months, I’m hoping to file soon so that this name change can be finalized as a surprise 14th birthday gift for Jeffrey in April. That timing would mean the world to him.

Any support — whether it’s donating, sharing, or leaving a kind message — helps make this possible and reminds Jeffrey how surrounded by love he truly is.

The money we raise will go directly toward making Jeffrey’s name change official and ensuring all of his important documents reflect his chosen name. Specifically, the funds will help cover:

California court filing fee – the main cost for filing the petition to legally change his name.

Certified copies of the court order – we’ll need several for Social Security, school records, medical records, and to send to Nevada Vital Records.

Nevada birth certificate amendment – to officially update his birth certificate with his new name.

Postage and document copies – to make sure everything is properly submitted and handled.

All funds will go directly to these steps, making Jeffrey’s name change official and permanent — a gift that reflects who he truly is.

No matter how you choose to support, we are so grateful for you.