Please Join Us In Lovingly Supporting Lennox and Julius.

Story

From Jamel Gillette and my wife Victoria Ruiz-Gillette My sweet nephews have been placed in a terrible situation by Child Protective Services because their father was determined unable to provide them with a stable, safe environment. It is a sad story. One of my nephews, Julius is doing okay and was supposed to be released to our custody over a month ago.. The other, Lennox is having severe emotional problems that have been exasperated by the system itself; he has moved from one unit to another 4 times over the past 3 weeks and has reported being treated poorly and restrained by some of the staff. Watch the film, "Kids for Cash." Kids for Cash https://g.co/kgs/X822MPX When we call, we get vague responses and excuses for the facility, KidsPeace, continuing to move Lennox around. At one point they placed him with older children where he experienced some bullying. They also made the decision, without any conversation with our family, to separate him from his twin brother Julius, stating "They don't get along." They have never experienced being separated. Unbeknown to most people, the foster care and juvenille housing systems profit from keeping children in their institutions. They have been known as another pipeline to prison, especially for children (boys) of color. We have come to the awareness that we deperately need a lawyer. We found one through the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas and had a consultation. We want to retain her - it is costly, a bit over $4000. Additionally, Under the laws of kinship, we are not allotted any extra financial support other than the children's small income issued to them because of the death of their young mother a couple of years ago. We humbly need your help. Part of what we need to do, and what is required by the state, is finish creating a private bedroom for them and fully furnish it. With the help of the lawyer, once they are released to us, we must pay for their bus service to school. The school suited for their needs is not on our route and so will not be funded by the district. We feel it would be to their emotional and educational benefit to have them enrolled in fun activities after school. They also need tutors. PA has no free programs. Lennox and Julius have struggled most of their lives. Now eleven-year-old twins, they continue to need as much love and support any family and community could give. Many of you have helped in the past, with clothing, books, and helping pay for summer camp in Ithaca with their grandma. They need your help again. We are trying to raise $7,000. With deepest gratitude to each of you, Jamel Gillette Victoria Ruiz-Gillette Lennox and Julius and grandma.