My name is Gabriella, and if you’re reading this, thank you. It’s taken me a lot to write this because I’ve always been the one people turn to—not the one asking for help. But life has a way of humbling us, and today, I’m sharing my story in hopes that it reaches hearts willing to lend a hand.

A few years ago, I was just trying to get by—working long shifts at a restaurant, chasing something more for myself and my future. Then I took a leap and landed a job at a car dealership, where I found not just opportunity, but purpose. I worked hard. I climbed. I grew.

Along the way, I met the love of my life, Joao. We’ve built everything from the ground up—brick by brick, paycheck by paycheck, with faith that if we kept pushing forward, things would fall into place.

But now, life has thrown us a curve we couldn’t prepare for. João was detained by ice on Wednesday 06/04/25 at around 8am. This is to help JV’s Bond and get him out of ICE.

We’ve exhausted our options. We’ve stretched every dollar, leaned on every resource, and held onto each other through every setback. But we’re at a point where pride must step aside for survival. And that’s why I’ve created this GoFundMe.

Every contribution, big or small, is a lifeline. Every share is a prayer answered. We’re not just asking for money—we’re asking for a little hope, a little help, and the chance to keep building the life we’ve worked so hard for.

If you’ve ever known what it feels like to keep smiling while the ground shakes beneath you, we ask you to stand with us now.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for believing in people you’ve never met. And thank you for being part of our story.

With all my heart,

Gabriella