Help the García-Méndez Family

Hi! My name is Sofía, and I am a 24 year old preschool teacher living in New York City. Ever since I was young, I have had a tremendous passion for helping people and spreading light, love, compassion, and care in an increasingly dark and depressing world. Throughout my life, I have always been disturbed to see how people treat the homeless and impoverished as nonexistent, walking by them, pretending not to see or hear the pain and suffering in their eyes and voices, as if they were literally invisible or mute. I always make an effort to stop and say hi, even if I don't have anything to give besides a smile or a listening ear.

I recently stopped to talk to Alexander and Oriana, a wonderful, kindhearted, generous, loving Venezuelan couple, and their three adorable children, ages 5, 10, and 13, who I had noticed asking for money and food outside the 86th Street Subway stop. I soon learned their painful story of fleeing danger, from Venezuela to Ecuador to Colombia. Over the last few months, I have gotten to know them intimately, and learn about their lives before they were forced to flee to New York. Alex was in the Venezuelan military, got a degree in Physical Education from the La Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador (UPEL) in Venezuela, and loved being a PhysEd teacher at a school. When they left for Ecuador, Alexander and Oriana opened a street food stand named after their son, called "Matías Burger," both worked in Sales at Movistar, and Alex also worked at a bakery. Then, in Colombia, Alex worked for DirecTV and Claro, Oriana worked as a waitress, and the two on the side ran an empanada street stand.

Their big hearts and immense love for their three children caused them to flee to America in search of a better life. They left behind jobs, communities, and more, in the hope of a better life. They have been staying at various hotel shelters for the last six months, sending their kids to school at P.S. Samuel Stern. The kids haven't missed one day of classes, and love learning, making new friends, and practicing English.

I am asking for your help to give the Mendez family the safety, security, and peace of mind that they so desperately deserve. All money will go toward helping them with food, clothes, and lodging.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.