Por favor, pedimos su colaboración en nuestra misión de apoyar a la familia de Sidronio Godinez, cuya muerte inesperada y sin explicación ha dejado a sus dos hijos pequeños sin su padre, y su esposa embarazada sin su esposo. Esta hermosa familia es parte de nuestra comunidad, y como bien sabemos, lo que les pasa en este momento nos podría pasar a cualquiera de nosotros. De un día al otro han perdido todo, y aunque nunca podremos quitarles el dolor de esta pérdida, por lo menos podemos aliviar el peso económico que representa. Por favor, aporten lo que puedan, aunque sea poquito. Se lo agradecemos de todo corazón.

—--

In Southwark Elementary’s Salon 103, a bilingual kindergarten class, every day is filled with discovery and joy. While learning each other’s languages, children are supporting each other and building a strong community. Through after-school events like a Día de los Muertos party, musical performances, and a class play, their families are building a new community together too. In a city whose public schools are maligned city- and state-wide every single day, this classroom in this school is producing happy, skilled, hardworking children. And all of it has been exceedingly joyful.

But now, unfortunately and unexpectedly, this is a time to mourn. We learned yesterday that the father of a student in Salon 103 has passed away, suddenly and without explanation. As we think about how to support Jayden and his family, it is a time to lean on the community we’ve been working to build all year.

My name is Matthew Prochnow and I am a parent of a kindergartener in Southwark’s Room 103. I am creating this fundraiser on behalf of our classroom’s Parent Committee. I am unable to shake the idea of a family unmoored by such a tragic, catastrophic loss, and the unimaginable pain and confusion Jayden and his sister Natividad are enduring.

Sidronio was a devoted and loving father to his children– Jayden (6), Natividad (3), and a third, yet unborn child. He was a truly dedicated husband. He and his wife deeply value education, family, and their faith, and have raised their children to be kind and conscientious. Their children’s needs were always met, they had every opportunity for success, and they were surrounded by love.

But now they need our help. As Jayden and Natividad’s mother Basilisa simply said, “We have lost everything.” As she prepares a customary nine-day vigil to mourn her husband, she faces an emotional and parental burden that must feel nearly insurmountable. While we are limited in that area, we hope to provide Jayden and his family with critical financial support not only for the funeral and vigil but for living expenses for the next year. We are seeking to raise $25,000: $10,000 for the costs of the funeral and vigil, and $15,000 for a full year of rent and utilities. Will you join us?