On December 11, 2022, Mariah Vera—beloved daughter, sister, niece, and friend—was tragically shot in the streets of the Portage Park neighborhood, shortly after what we did not know would be her final and wonderful birthday celebration. This senseless act also claimed the lives of her father, Ricky Vera, as well as Mercedes Tavares and Mario Pozuelos. (abc7chicago.com)

For a long time, we all held on to hope that Mariah would pull through. She fought bravely from the day she was shot, but is now finally transitioning. The Vera and DeJesus families are cherishing every moment with her while preparing for the unthinkable.

Purpose of This Fundraiser

We are asking for support to help the Vera and DeJesus families during this heartbreaking time. This is the only official GoFundMe created for Mariah and her loved ones—every donation will go directly toward family support and funeral expenses only.

How Funds Will Be Used

• Cover funeral and memorial service costs when the time comes

• Provide support for the Vera and DeJesus families as they navigate this tragedy

Why Your Help Matters

Mariah has touched countless lives with her light, love, and kindness. As a daughter, sister, niece, and friend, her presence has been a blessing to everyone who knew her. Supporting the Vera and DeJesus families now will help ease their burden, allowing them to focus on spending precious time with her and preparing to honor her life.

Call to Action

Every donation, no matter the size, means so much. Please consider giving what you can to support the Vera and DeJesus families in their greatest time of need, and kindly share this campaign so that others may help as well.

Important Note

This is the only official GoFundMe page for the Vera and DeJesus families. Any other campaigns claiming association with Mariah or her loved ones are not authorized.