Nava Family Fundraiser
Donation protected
My name is Mara and I have started this Go Fund Me for a family very close to my heart who have suddenly found themselves in great need. First, a little background on this wonderful family.
I first met the Nava family five years ago while coaching their eldest child, Juliet, on my competitive soccer team. She stood out as a great player, although she was extremely quiet , she always had the biggest smile on her face. I quickly learned that smile never went away and soon after found it was a trait belonging to her entire family. Along with Juliet, both her parents and her two younger siblings had a heartwarming and welcoming charisma. They quickly became part of our soccer family, always present on the sidelines and at Club events.
Although sometimes challenged with language barriers, Juliet’s family was quickly embraced by the other soccer families. Her parents, Leti and Gerardo, have been part of the Park City community for about 20 years, and have done a tremendous job raising Juliet (15), Gisselle (12), and James (6). All three were born here in Utah and have spent their entire lives in Park City. They are easily some of the most kind, smart, polite, and selfless children I know.
Over the past five years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Juliet and her family in many facets of her life beyond the soccer field. In addition to working as a coach in our community, I also work as a healthcare professional where Juliet has shadowed me for her community service hours (a middle school requirement for every student.) One wouldn’t think a then 12-year-old would be able to assist much at an established medical practice, but on her first day Juliet was able to translate the specific details and assist in the quality of a patient’s care. After the school year ended, and her required hours completed, I would receive texts from Juliet asking if she could come to work with me simply because she really enjoyed the opportunity to help people.
Juliet aspires to go to medical school one day and I believe she will make it; I have seen very few children as hardworking and dedicated to their schoolwork as she is. Juliet, and now her sister Gisselle, have tested into the highest math classes their school has to offer. James is now following in Juliet’s footsteps and is playing soccer for our local club and is by no surprise excelling in his kindergarten class. The children shine thanks to the efforts Leti and Gerardo have made to provide their children with every opportunity to get involved and succeed.
Over the years, I have been humbled watching the efforts of the parents, specifically Gerardo, to support his family. This is a smart, college educated man, who works long hard days at minimum wage jobs to provide food, shelter, and opportunity for his family. He has had the same job for years and is, of course, an outstanding employee. I have watched Gerardo for years work endlessly and do everything in his power to be able to support his family and do what is best for them, always with a smile on his face.
I would hope by now I have created a picture of what a truly tremendous family the Nava family is, and especially what an outstanding, father, husband, and community member Gerardo Nava is.
Now, the purpose of this Go Fund Me. I am fully aware that immigration issues are divisive and I risk backlash for myself and possibly the Nava family making this public appeal. I ask that you please set aside any political or race-related views and focus on the this incredible family that is well integrated into our community.
On Saturday, May 4th, Gerardo Nava was taken into custody for an accidental unpaid traffic violation, a simple taillight that was out. I emphasize accidental because I know first hand that Gerardo is a man who makes every effort to cover his family’s expenses and pay anything he owes. Once he was taken into custody he was entered into a system that triggered an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) hold. His ICE offence was using what was believed to be a fake social security number that allowed him to work and pay taxes. It is important to note this number was used ONLY for employment and tax purposes so Gerardo could support his children who are U.S. citizens.
I am not a lawyer, and cannot give specific detail on the numerous steps now needed to return this hardworking, generous man to his family. I do know, however, that the process to keep Gerardo in the U.S. is exceedingly expensive and, for a period of time, will leave Gerardo unable to work. He and his family understand that for him to work again in Utah, he must navigate through the legal system to gain the appropriate permissions to do so. Any employment until that time would jeopardize his chances to stay in the States and be able to work legally in the future.
Gerardo’s paychecks have been the Nava family’s only source of income while Leti cares for the family. Without his income for the foreseeable future, the family finds themselves in dire need to assist both with basic food and shelter, as well as legal fees.
Can you please help the Nava family with a donation, small or large?
It is important for me to emphasize, Gerardo is not a criminal. He is father and husband doing the best he can to support his family and give his children every opportunity to thrive. This is no different than what we want for ourselves and our children. In speaking with Gerardo after he was taken into custody by our local police, the first thing that he said, even with his hysterical and traumatized daughter sitting besides me was, “thank you for bringing my daughter here to see me, it makes me so happy, and please thank all the people who are helping my family right now, we have angels surrounding us.” Gerardo is right, there is a community of “angels” holding him and his family up right now; this was evidenced by the 80 some-odd friends and supporters who showed up at District Court in support of Gerardo this past Monday.
Will you please help us continue the momentum to reunite Gerardo with is family?
I first met the Nava family five years ago while coaching their eldest child, Juliet, on my competitive soccer team. She stood out as a great player, although she was extremely quiet , she always had the biggest smile on her face. I quickly learned that smile never went away and soon after found it was a trait belonging to her entire family. Along with Juliet, both her parents and her two younger siblings had a heartwarming and welcoming charisma. They quickly became part of our soccer family, always present on the sidelines and at Club events.
Although sometimes challenged with language barriers, Juliet’s family was quickly embraced by the other soccer families. Her parents, Leti and Gerardo, have been part of the Park City community for about 20 years, and have done a tremendous job raising Juliet (15), Gisselle (12), and James (6). All three were born here in Utah and have spent their entire lives in Park City. They are easily some of the most kind, smart, polite, and selfless children I know.
Over the past five years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Juliet and her family in many facets of her life beyond the soccer field. In addition to working as a coach in our community, I also work as a healthcare professional where Juliet has shadowed me for her community service hours (a middle school requirement for every student.) One wouldn’t think a then 12-year-old would be able to assist much at an established medical practice, but on her first day Juliet was able to translate the specific details and assist in the quality of a patient’s care. After the school year ended, and her required hours completed, I would receive texts from Juliet asking if she could come to work with me simply because she really enjoyed the opportunity to help people.
Juliet aspires to go to medical school one day and I believe she will make it; I have seen very few children as hardworking and dedicated to their schoolwork as she is. Juliet, and now her sister Gisselle, have tested into the highest math classes their school has to offer. James is now following in Juliet’s footsteps and is playing soccer for our local club and is by no surprise excelling in his kindergarten class. The children shine thanks to the efforts Leti and Gerardo have made to provide their children with every opportunity to get involved and succeed.
Over the years, I have been humbled watching the efforts of the parents, specifically Gerardo, to support his family. This is a smart, college educated man, who works long hard days at minimum wage jobs to provide food, shelter, and opportunity for his family. He has had the same job for years and is, of course, an outstanding employee. I have watched Gerardo for years work endlessly and do everything in his power to be able to support his family and do what is best for them, always with a smile on his face.
I would hope by now I have created a picture of what a truly tremendous family the Nava family is, and especially what an outstanding, father, husband, and community member Gerardo Nava is.
Now, the purpose of this Go Fund Me. I am fully aware that immigration issues are divisive and I risk backlash for myself and possibly the Nava family making this public appeal. I ask that you please set aside any political or race-related views and focus on the this incredible family that is well integrated into our community.
On Saturday, May 4th, Gerardo Nava was taken into custody for an accidental unpaid traffic violation, a simple taillight that was out. I emphasize accidental because I know first hand that Gerardo is a man who makes every effort to cover his family’s expenses and pay anything he owes. Once he was taken into custody he was entered into a system that triggered an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) hold. His ICE offence was using what was believed to be a fake social security number that allowed him to work and pay taxes. It is important to note this number was used ONLY for employment and tax purposes so Gerardo could support his children who are U.S. citizens.
I am not a lawyer, and cannot give specific detail on the numerous steps now needed to return this hardworking, generous man to his family. I do know, however, that the process to keep Gerardo in the U.S. is exceedingly expensive and, for a period of time, will leave Gerardo unable to work. He and his family understand that for him to work again in Utah, he must navigate through the legal system to gain the appropriate permissions to do so. Any employment until that time would jeopardize his chances to stay in the States and be able to work legally in the future.
Gerardo’s paychecks have been the Nava family’s only source of income while Leti cares for the family. Without his income for the foreseeable future, the family finds themselves in dire need to assist both with basic food and shelter, as well as legal fees.
Can you please help the Nava family with a donation, small or large?
It is important for me to emphasize, Gerardo is not a criminal. He is father and husband doing the best he can to support his family and give his children every opportunity to thrive. This is no different than what we want for ourselves and our children. In speaking with Gerardo after he was taken into custody by our local police, the first thing that he said, even with his hysterical and traumatized daughter sitting besides me was, “thank you for bringing my daughter here to see me, it makes me so happy, and please thank all the people who are helping my family right now, we have angels surrounding us.” Gerardo is right, there is a community of “angels” holding him and his family up right now; this was evidenced by the 80 some-odd friends and supporters who showed up at District Court in support of Gerardo this past Monday.
Will you please help us continue the momentum to reunite Gerardo with is family?
Co-organizers (3)
Mara Discoe
Organizer
Park City, UT
James Abraham
Co-organizer
Shelley Gillwald
Co-organizer