Help Kimberly Onofre Fight for Her Daughters' Future

I'm fundraising for my cousin, Kimberly Onofre, a mother and U.S. citizen, who currently lives in Argentina with her two daughters. Kimberly has been fighting an uphill battle to get financial support from her ex-husband or permission to return to the U.S., where she can better provide for her children on her own.

Kimberly is facing many challenges. She is not yet an Argentinian citizen, which makes it hard for her to find a stable job. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, with the advantage of private legal representation, has exploited her lack of resources—dragging out legal proceedings in hopes that she will give up. He has not provided financial support for his daughters since October 2023, yet continues to block Kimberly from leaving Argentina with their daughters.

Because of the complexities of international custody laws, the U.S. embassy has indicated that they are unable to intervene, as her daughters hold dual American and Argentinian citizenship. Kimberly has been relying on a local community legal program run by law students, but the frequent turnover of student representatives and repeated delays caused by her ex-husband's non-attendance in court and mediations have prolonged the case for nearly two years.

Kimberly needs a private attorney who can effectively advocate for her rights and ensure a fair resolution that will provide stability and security for her daughters. As time runs out, her financial situation becomes increasingly worse. Her lack of Argentinian citizenship prevents her from getting a job locally, leaving her to teach English online while accumulating credit card debt just to cover basic living expenses.

Kimberly is an incredible mother whose biggest priority has always been her daughters' happiness and well-being. No matter the challenges she faces, she remains dedicated to providing them with the love, support, and opportunities they deserve. Despite everything she has been through, she continues to fight for their future while also encouraging a positive relationship with their father. Her strength and unwavering commitment to her children are truly inspiring.

Below is more on her story from Kimberly:

I am a single mother to two beautiful daughters, ages 6 and 7, who mean the world to me. I’ve always believed in building a strong family and doing everything in my power to create a happy, loving home. But life doesn’t always go as planned.

Years ago, I met the father of my children during a transformational course. Full of hope and love, I believed in a dream of building a life together—a dream that ultimately turned into a nightmare.

As a Californian struggling to make ends meet, I agreed to a big move to his home country, Argentina, trusting that this decision would allow me to spend more quality time with my daughters. I poured my entire savings into this new chapter, believing in our family’s future. However, it was during this time that his true colors began to show.

Like many couples, we had our challenges, but I kept telling myself, “Till death do us part” and “We’ll grow stronger through this.” But the issues escalated into abuse—emotional, financial, and eventually physical.

The breaking point came when my daughters, then just 5 and 6 years old, witnessed their father’s outbursts and begged him to stop. Hearing their little voices say, “Daddy, stop,” shattered me. It made me realize that staying wasn’t just harming me—it was harming them.

When I asked for a divorce, his anger boiled over. In a moment of rage, he broke our wedding certificate frame, cutting my hand in the process. That was the moment I knew I had to leave—for my daughters and myself.

I sought help from a local women’s center, where I learned the extent of the abuse we had endured. With the support of local police and a university legal aid program, I’ve been fighting for custody and a safe return to the United States. But the journey has been nothing short of heartbreaking.

The father of my children has refused to provide financial support or give permission for my daughters to leave the country, as required by Argentine law. For two years, I’ve been navigating this uphill battle with the help of a student lawyer, but the legal costs, living expenses, and emotional toll have been overwhelming.

That’s why I’m here, asking for your help.

I’m fighting every day to create a stable, safe, and loving home for my daughters. I want to show them that they deserve a life free from fear and full of love. Your donation will go toward:

Legal fees to continue fighting for our safe return to the U.S.

Housing and living expenses for me and my daughters in the meantime.

Counseling and resources to help us heal from this trauma.

No amount is too small, and every dollar brings us closer to a future where my daughters can grow up in a healthy, happy environment. If you can’t donate, sharing our story would mean the world to us.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can provide.

With love and gratitude, Kimberly Onofre and daughters.