Joy has faced more challenges in her young life than most. When her biological parents were unable to care for her, my parents, her biological grandparents, adopted her when she was just one year old. From that point forward, we raised Joy together in a loving and supportive home.

Over the years, our family has experienced many ups and downs, but Joy has consistently shown remarkable strength and resilience. Even in difficult circumstances, she remains focused, compassionate, and deeply empathetic toward others.

In 2021, when Joy was only 12 years old, our family experienced two devastating losses. Our mother passed away following cardiac arrest caused by complications from COVID-19. Just seven months later, on what would have been our mother’s birthday, our father passed away from multiple myeloma. The timing felt especially poignant, as though after a lifetime together, she was calling him home.

To Joy, they were far more than her grandparents. They were the parents who had loved, raised, guided, and cared for her throughout nearly her entire life. Following their passing, I became Joy’s legal guardian through the family court system.

It’s been both a blessing and a privilege to watch Joy grow into the caring, genuine, and kind young woman she is today. Her character is a beautiful reflection of the love and values my parents instilled in her, particularly the nurturing spirit of our mother.

Joy is now entering her senior year of high school and beginning an exciting new chapter of her life. One of her greatest needs at this stage is reliable transportation to help her get to school and work, prepare for college, and take an important step toward greater independence.

Joy has already demonstrated how seriously she takes this goal. In the short time she’s been employed, she’s worked hard to save $2,000 toward her first car. What she doesn’t know is that this fundraiser is being organized on her behalf.

I would love to be able to contribute more toward purchasing her first vehicle, but supporting our household on a single income has become increasingly challenging as the costs of housing, property taxes, utilities, groceries, and other everyday necessities continue to rise. Despite those challenges, we continue moving forward as a family with faith, determination, and resilience.

As a single parent and guardian, I simply want to give Joy an opportunity that can sometimes be easier to provide in a two-income household. I’m asking anyone who connects with Joy’s story to consider helping us purchase a safe and dependable first car that will give her greater independence as she completes high school and prepares for college.

All donations will first go toward the purchase of Joy’s vehicle. Any funds remaining will be used for expenses related to her senior year and transition to college, including school supplies, senior activities, college application and testing fees, and other educational costs.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, brings Joy one step closer to this goal. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing her story and this fundraiser would mean just as much to our family.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Joy and for supporting her as she works toward a bright and independent future!