My name is Joel Barbosa, and I’m writing this on behalf of my wonderful son, Joabe, who our family is immensely proud of.

Joabe moved to the United States with a dream of becoming a psychologist and to dedicate his life to helping others. Over the years, I’ve watched him work tirelessly towards this goal. Our family has entered into debt paying for his school over the years, but this has been worth it because he is the first in our family to get to go to college and he makes an impact on everyone he interacts with. He has completed years of demanding schooling as part of his doctoral programme in clinical psychology in Chicago. This year, he reached a major milestone: applying for his doctoral internship, a required step to complete his degree. Unfortunately, he did not match.

For those unfamiliar, this process is highly competitive and it does not reflect his abilities or dedication. Still, the outcome has created significant challenges. As an international student, Joabe now faces uncertainty regarding his visa status and likely needs to return to Brasil while preparing to reapply. As a father, it’s difficult to watch your older child face something like this after the impact he’s made in Chicago. He does everything through the kindness of his heart. He's changed people's perspectives about the city and he is not afraid to go anywhere to show the community and humanity in Chicago. He has changed our view of the city as well as for millions of others. He does this because he sees good in everyone, everywhere.

However, this unexpected situation has brought about increased financial strain for our family, including:

- Travel costs from the United States back to Brazil

- Visa and immigration-related expenses

- Storage and relocation

- Expenses over this coming year

- Future application and interview costs

Joabe has always been determined. He is someone who sets big goals and follows through, whether in his studies or in personal challenges like running every street in Chicago. This setback does not define him or us as a family, but it does create a moment where support makes such a meaningful difference. I am asking for your help to support him and us during this transition so he can return home, regroup, and continue pursuing his dream of becoming a psychologist.

Any contribution, no matter the size, would mean a great deal to our family. And if you’re unable to give, sharing this is equally appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting my son’s wonderful journey in a place he now calls his second home.