My name is Sean Doiron, I'm a teacher at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California. I'm raising money for Karishma Velasco, a graduate of RCHS (‘22) and a mentor at our school. In my classroom she helps students with their learning through tutoring, small-group teaching and helping to re-direct challenging behavior. For the past year and a half Karishma (or Ms. Velasco to the students) has helped, encouraged and supported student learning in my English Language Development classes. The students in my classroom are mostly recent immigrants and have huge needs to support their acquisition of English and overall academic success. She has been a vital component in making students successful in my class and in all the classes that she has been in like English, Math, History, Science, etc. ....

About one (1) month ago she injured her leg. Initially she thought she could come back to work but after being assisted from her car by wheelchair to the classroom and doing her best to move around her pain increased. She went to visit her doctor because she wasn't able to move her leg. She has gotten 2 MRIs and it is highly likely to find out that her Achilles is either partially or fully torn. This is a major injury and doctors have told her based on the severity that her recovery could take a few weeks up to nine (9) months. We don't know when she will be able to return to work but in the meantime she is continuing her education at home (she is close to completing her AA via her studies in community college). Due to this unforeseen event we want to do our best to support her recovery, overall health and a healthier future for her and her family.

For the past couple of years Karishma has been the sole provider for her mother and younger brother. Her older brother used to fulfill this role in addition to providing for his own family but he passed away about 2 years ago and this responsibility has fallen onto her shoulders. She also helps with his kids, taking them to and from school and supporting them and his late wife in any way she can. The money she made through the mentor program helped her to pay for necessities for herself, her mother and younger brother in things like rent, groceries, car insurance, phone bills, etc. As a result of her injury she doesn't know how she will provide for her family starting in November and beyond as she recovers.

With unforeseen medical bills, life necessities and looking forward to a future where she follows in her brother's footsteps to become a dental hygienist I am asking for anyone willing to assist Karishma to give to help support her during this difficult time for her and her family. Would you be willing to give $50, $100, or some other amount to help her? She is a dependable, caring young woman who cares so much for the students she works with, for the family that she provides for, and everyone she comes into contact with.

Thank you for your consideration. Please feel free to share this with others as well who may be touched by her story or who know her personally.