Hi, I'm Dr. Mazer from The Early Childhood Education Program at Sheltering Arms Family and Children's Services in the South Bronx, which the two youngest children in the family  attended for several years, the five year-old still with us now.

On June 29th, Tiburcio Castillo, an immigrant dad of 4 children between the ages of 13 and 5 went missing in his way riding his bicycle from his Manhattan job at a restaurant to his home in the South Bronx. After a 7 day search his wife Senorina located him in a coma at Lincoln Hospital. Tiburcio was attacked, robbed and his bike taken. Though brain dead he remained in a respirator for 13 days, passing away today. Tiburcio was the sole breadwinner for his family, working 6 days a week and often more. An active and always involved dad he participated in the Fatherhood Initiative and was a model parent in our school community. Please help this family pay for Tiburcio's funeral as well as food, rent and upcoming bills as they mourn their dad and mom Senorina finds new ways to support her children. Thank you so much for your generosity.