Y is a Venezuelan mother, wife, and provider. C is her 8-year-old son. They are seeking funds to help them return home to Venezuela and reunite with their family.

Y and her husband and son came from Venezuela to Denver in 2022-23 seeking “a better future for her mother, younger sisters and daughter,” all of whom they had to leave behind when coming to the U.S. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans were arriving in the Denver area around that time, seeking work opportunities and stability. Many of these neighbors had crossed the Texas border legally and then were sent north by bus in a program led by Governor Greg Abbott to try to keep them from staying in Texas.

Around this time, Max and Ryan were preparing to host visiting family at their house in Denver, and were also seeking ways to try to connect with and support people in Y’s circumstance. So, through a community network in Denver, they met Y and hired her to provide house cleaning services. They got to know her and her family a bit at that point.

Now, in summer 2025, they reconnected with Y and learned that her circumstances have worsened dramatically. Previously, Y and C lived in an apartment; they’re now in a shelter in downtown Denver. They’re struggling to cover basic food costs each week. Worst of all, Y's husband has been deported.

Venezuelans in the U.S. are losing protected status under the Trump administration. And it’s awful to witness, through Y and C's experience, the turn that this country has taken from a place of hope and refuge to a place of threat and despair. It’s also clear that returning to Venezuela now is a good choice for Y and her son, despite the political and economic turmoil they know they will be returning to in their home country.

Can you help contribute to their return travel costs? The total fund of $2000 will cover ground transportation from Colorado to Venezuela, and lodging and food costs along the way.

Max and Ryan have also connected them with info and legal guidance on the presidential administration's "self deportation" option, which they may or may not opt into, given the risks that program entails. Even if they do opt into said program, it provides funding support to 'self-deporters' only after they arrive in their home country, and so Y and C are still in urgent need of funds to begin their journey.

Max and Ryan are providing Y and C with funds this week and are hoping to use this GoFundMe to shore up some of this expense with community resources. If you can pitch in, please do. And thank you!

Note: We are using initials in order to protect Y & C’s identities.