Help the Vasquez Family Begin Their Next Chapter

For over a decade, Pear Tree Community School has been more than a school — it has been a community built on love, hard work, and the belief that when we care for one another, anything is possible. From the beginning, the Vasquez Family — Josue, Lupita, Randy (Pear Tree Graduate), Lucia (Current Hummingbird Student), Rebeca (would have joined Pear Tree in January 2026), and their oldest child Briani — have embodied that spirit more than anyone.

When Pear Tree was in its earliest years, facing possible closure due to costly earthquake retrofit requirements, it was Josue Vasquez who stepped forward to save the school. Out of the goodness of his heart, and without hesitation, he offered to complete the entire retrofit himself — fronting the cost and allowing the school to pay him back in small installments over time. His generosity and faith in the mission of Pear Tree kept our doors open when they could have closed forever.

In the years that followed, Josue and his family continued to give — not just their time and labor, but their kindness, warmth, and presence. The playgrounds our children play on, the classrooms that our children learn in, and the sense of community that defines Pear Tree today all exist, in large part, because of Josue and the Vasquez family.

Now, this family — who have given so much to all of us — are facing an incredibly difficult moment.

Lupita, who has been living in the U.S. as an asylum seeker from Guatemala for the past 23 years, had been carefully following every required step to obtain permanent residency. However, recent changes in immigration policy have drastically reduced approval rates for cases like hers. Despite her best efforts, her asylum request was ultimately denied.

After much heartbreak and reflection, Lupita has made the painful decision to self-deport and the Vasquez family has made the decision to relocate to Guatemala — the only way to keep their beautiful family together. This move will uproot their entire lives, including their children, who were born and raised here and who have spent their entire childhoods at Pear Tree.

This GoFundMe is being created by the Pear Tree Community to help the Vasquez family rebuild and begin their next chapter with dignity and stability. Funds raised will go directly toward their relocation costs, housing, and re-establishing a home and work life in Guatemala.

The Vasquez family has lifted this community in countless ways — through love, labor, and unwavering support. Now, it’s our turn to lift them.

Please join us in honoring all they have given by helping them through this transition. No contribution is too small, and every act of generosity is deeply appreciated.

From the bottom of our hearts,

The Pear Tree Community

In gratitude and solidarity with the Vasquez Family