Palencia family loses everything in house fire

Hello my name is Jorge Palencia and I am a 17 year old student at Paramount High School. My families life completely changed on Tuesday morning, June 27th 2023. It began as a normal Tuesday for the Palencia family. Felix Palencia (father) and Felix Manuel Palencia (18 yr old) working at the Paramount Swapmeet, Jorge Palencia attending cheerleading practice at Paramount High School, Antonio Molina teaching at Odyssey STEM Academy and Veronica Molina (mother) and Mia Palencia (6 yr old) at home. Suddenly, at around 1pm in the afternoon, tragedy struck disrupting the whole families “normal” Tuesday. A house fire abruptly started with Mia Palencia, Veronica Molina, Jorge Palencia, and Canela (1 yr old dog) in the house. This was a complete unforeseen event that has left my family with barely any time to process. The day started with a home and now my family and I are left with nothing but the clothes that we were wearing at the time of the horrific incident. Having to evacuate quickly, the realization has slowly started to sink into my family. We no longer have a place to call home or own any items.

I lost the only home I had ever known, my family and I had been renting that house since I was born and now I am left with nothing but some ashes and burning memories. With our whole lives burnt to the ground, we have lost swapmeet merchandise, clothing, shoes, school supplies, and most of our electronic devices. While we are blessed to all have made it out safe, I am asking for help from anyone who is willing to hear my plea. I was born and raised in Paramount and I am hoping that my community can help my family through this dark unforeseen time.

This doesn’t come as an easy ask because we are used to working hard for what we have. However, I am truly devastated and I want to help my family in any way that I can. My family is well known around the community with my mom cleaning houses and various businesses around the community. My dad and brother Felix selling work boots and clothing to thousands here in Paramount throughout the years. My oldest brother being a teacher for Paramount Unified School District and my little sister who attends an elementary school in the district as well. Lastly, myself, Jorge Palencia, a scholar and being the first boy in Paramount High School history to compete competitively in Florida.

I want to thank you all for taking the time to read this, if you cannot donate sharing this GoFundMe link will help just as much. My family and I are starting from the ground up and we know that starting from scratch will take some time. We are taking everything day by day but first things first we are looking to raise funds to obtain basic necessities like mattresses, toiletries, towels, blankets, clothing and so much more while simultaneously trying to to find find a new home to rent as soon as possible.