Support Justin's Healing and Family's Move

Hi, we’re the Rosati family. We’ve created this crowdfund on behalf of our brother and his son. For their safety, we will refer to our brother as Carter, and his son as Justin. Justin was recently the victim of a hate crime by his fellow students in the East Haddam area. As suggested by the local NAACP and Black Lives Matter chapters in the Haddam area, we are raising funds to cover the costs of Justin’s racial-based trauma therapy and the family’s moving expenses.

Our brother Carter came into our lives thirty years ago with the Fresh Air Fund. He has been our brother ever since: living with us, standing by our sides at our weddings, and being a loving uncle to our children. Carter is the hardworking, loving father of five children of his own. He moved his family to East Haddam, Connecticut, last year to continue to provide the best possible life for them. We love Carter for everything that he is as a father, brother, and as a proud Black man.

Carter’s son, Justin, is also Black. Justin was the victim of hate crimes perpetrated in the form of months of harassment and racist abuse from ten White peers in East Haddam’s middle school. When Carter discovered documented evidence of months of abuse on his son Justin’s phone, he immediately withdrew Justin from his school and brought it to the attention of the school board and the local authorities.

The abuse Justin endured was so appalling, pervasive, and harmful that it has been covered state-wide, in both print and television news. We’ve gathered some of the coverage below in case you are unfamiliar with these events. Please be warned that it is incredibly shocking, graphic, and disturbing, so if you decide to watch, do so with care.

Justin is a bright, smart, honorable young man in the eighth grade. He is an honors student whose favorite subject is science. He’s the second oldest sibling, but often acts as their leader. He helps out around the house, washing dishes and taking out the trash. He loves playing video games, basketball, and editing videos. He loves to learn how to cook new dishes for his family. He is a shining example of what a young man can be.

While we cannot change what happened to Justin, we can help support his future. This is why we need your help. By donating to this campaign, you will help send a message that he is a valuable young man who deserves the support and care of his community. The future tragedy of these crimes would be if they negatively affected Justin’s prospects and his invaluable potential. With your support, we can ensure that he gets the help he needs to move past these events, heal from this trauma, and blossom into the incredible young man he was meant to be.

Our fundraising request breaks down as follows:

$10,000 - Relocation costs for Justin’s family.

Carter was forced to withdraw Justin from the school in East Haddam. Understandably, he does not want to send any of his younger children into the same environment and is moving the family to a safer community. Unfortunately, Carter lost one of his jobs as he has been devoting his time to advocating for his son Justin. The immense stress of this time on Carter’s family cannot be overstated.

Your donation will help pay for the family’s moving costs. Your financial support will ease at least some of the stress the entire family is experiencing during this traumatic time.

$11,520 - Racial Trauma Therapy for Justin. Estimated at Two (2) sessions per week, for Eight (8) Months.

Research has shown that high levels of racial discrimination experienced by Black youth have a significant impact on their health and well-being, and the effects of this racial discrimination continue over time. The psychological impact of racism-related stress extends beyond mental health to the youth’s physical health, and negatively influences academic achievement. That is why it is crucial that Justin receives therapy specifically geared toward race-based trauma.

With the help of Black therapists, Racial Trauma Therapy will help Justin develop the tools he needs to rebuild his spirit and be his authentic self. Although this trauma will continue to affect Justin for long time, we are conservatively estimating the costs of his therapy (based on a quote from one of the Licensed Professional counselors at Quality Counse eling, in CT) at two times a week, for eight months. With your donation, we can ensure he gets the quality, sensitive, professional care he needs.

We’ll let his father Carter have the last word on Justin’s character:

“I’m proud of him because he’s funny and smart, loyal and courageous. He accepts challenges to make moral right choices. He’s friendly and overall a great kid.”

Thank you for your time. Any donation, however small, is greatly appreciated. Please share this message with others in your community so they can join us in reminding Justin and his family that he is valued, loved, and respected. With your help, we can show Justin that his potential is unlimited, and give him hope and strength for the future.

With Love & Support,

The Rosati Family