The Fund for Javi McLeod

Javi McLeod is an awesome twelve year-old kid who has just lost his only parent, his mom, to cancer, after a long illness. He has recently made a move from the Berkshires to Brookline, MA, about 2 1/2 hours away, to be raised by his aunt. Kim, his mom's sister, works two jobs and has very little financial support for him. She is of retirement age, and is looking at raising a child who has been through major trauma through middle and high school, and college, on basically her own resources.

Kim has looked clear-eyed at this task and opened her heart and home to her beautiful nephew, beloved of so many in his community in the Berkshires. Kim also has the care of Javi's 90 year-old grandfather, who is grieving the loss of his wife and daughter in the same year, and needs a good deal of care.

Javi is an amazingly kind, mature, caring, fun guy who has endured more in his short life than most people can imagine. He is walking resiliently into his new life with a positive attitude, excited about making new friends and having new opportunities in a new place. His aunt has already arranged a Big Brother for him, and has support in place for him to grieve his mom, make this big adjustment, and in time, to thrive.

Javi wants to study dance (which would thrill his dancer mother no end), do fun things in the city, and go to college. He loves math and engineering. He likes to work with his hands and he loves hanging out with friends. He is adventurous and hard-working, and earned honors in school this year despite his mother's worsening illness.

Please consider giving to help this great kid have the opportunities every kid deserves.

Thank you so much for your generosity.

Warmly,
Rachel (and an army of Javi's devoted friends/fans :)