Support Josue and Family - Displaced by fire on July 4

Friends: When we last reached out in 2022, dear Julia had passed away, and your generosity helped Josue and the kids get through a really hard stretch.

Tragically, the family has been hit by another catastrophe: An electrical fire on July 4 has made their apartment uninhabitable. Though nobody was hurt as they were all out when a neighbor detected the fire, much of their belongings were destroyed or damaged by smoke, and water.

With just days to salvage what they could before the contents are demolished, Josue and his kids have received temporary aid from the Red Cross, and they've been staying in a motel.

All just before daughter Eden headed for college orientation, and in the middle of another heatwave. They will need to find a new home, replace furnishings and personal belongings, everything.

"It's been brutal," said Josue.

If you are able to help in any amount, I know they would appreciate it greatly. If you have questions, you can message me through this fundraiser or find me on Facebook.

Thanks for your support and love

- Natalie Hildt Treat (Conn College friend)

ORIGINAL FUNDRAISER IS BELOW:

We raised over $10K for this, and additional is what you've contributed since the fire...

We are fundraising to support the family of Julia Baez-Veliz, a bright star taken tragically from her family in October 2022 after a brief illness. Julia’s passing is an enormous loss for her husband Josué and their five children: Noah, Elias, Hannah, Eden and Shane—as well as for her colleagues and community. Julia and Josué met while they were teens and dated all through their time at Connecticut College, from which she graduated in 1994.

The couple married in 1997, shortly after Josué graduated from Conn. Julia went on to earn a master's in counseling from Manhattan College and spent her life working tirelessly for the empowerment of youth and to open doors to higher education. Through her work at Summer on The Hill, at the Horace Mann School, and as a counselor at Family Life Academy Charter School, she helped and counseled thousands of public school students and their families in New York City.

We hope to raise enough funds to help Josué and his children recover financially and to assist with the immediate living expenses brought on by this tragic loss. Julia was the primary breadwinner for her family, and Josue is left to care for Hannah, Eden and Shane, who are still living at home. Please give what you can, and please share the link to this Go Fund Me site with all who knew and loved Julia and who want to support her family. Thank you!