Support Mr. Carlos's Road to Recovery

We, Kamelia Jalilvand and I, are launching this campaign to support Carlos Hernandez, who was tragically struck by a car while crossing the street on his way to Horace Mann Elementary School on the morning of September 30th, 2024. Our goal is to raise funds to help him cover medical expenses and lost wages, so he can focus on getting better.

Many of the families at Horace Mann have inquired about Carlos but until recently he wanted the details of the accident and his current state to remain private. This was mostly out of humility and not wanting to burden others. He realizes now that he does need help, and that need may continue for some time.

As a result of the injuries sustained in the accident, Carlos is experiencing severe symptoms of a concussion and traumatic brain injury, including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, and headaches. Additionally, he is dealing with physical pain from the impact of the Honda Civic that struck him. These debilitating symptoms have left him unable to return to work for the foreseeable future.

For those who don’t know him, Mr. Carlos—as he is known by many students, parents, and staff at Horace Mann Elementary—is a dedicated playground aide who has been a cherished part of the school community since 2019. He can often be found at the dismissal gates on Charleville, wearing a stylish fedora and suspenders, ensuring that students are safely handed over to their authorized adults. In addition to all that he does on the inside of the gates during a busy school day, Mr. Carlos goes out of his way to help students and parents. Whether he’s refereeing the daily lunchtime soccer game on the purple field or checking in on a student who is struggling with something, he always brings a sense of kindness and attentiveness that makes everyone feel valued. This generosity extends beyond the walls of Horace Mann, as he collects donations of clothing, shoes, and school supplies, then travels to Mexico to distribute these items to children in need.

Over the years, he has become someone that parents and students depend on. As a result of his dedication and hard work, he has earned the trust of so many that when the City of Beverly Hills announced their “Recreation & Parks Commission Award”, a group of parents submitted their nominations for Mr. Carlos. He was presented with the award just one week before his accident.

We recently learned that prior to the accident, Mr. Carlos had been struggling to find permanent housing and would often rely on hotels, motels, and sometimes a friend’s couch for a safe place to sleep. The day of the accident, he had a hotel reservation for that evening but when he didn’t show up, because he was in the hospital, his reservation was given away. Meaning when he was released from the hospital, he had nowhere to stay. Imagine being in that condition and not knowing where you’ll sleep that night. No one should be in that position, especially someone who goes out of his way to ensure that others have what they need to be safe.

We don’t yet know the full extent of the medical care that Carlos will need but do know that he will need financial assistance to cover medical bills, loss of wages and assistance with finding permanent housing.

Mr. Carlos has gone above and beyond in his dedication to this community and our children's lives and now it’s time for his community to show up for him.