Help Us Bring Arya Home for Good

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

We are reaching out with hopeful hearts, asking for your support in our fight to keep our sweet Arya Mendez in the loving, stable home she deserves. My husband, Josh Mendez, and I, Kristeena Erisman-Mendez, are doing everything we can to gain custody of my stepdaughter Arya, but we need help to afford the legal representation required to make it happen.

We have found an incredible child custody lawyer who truly understands our case and believes in fighting for Arya’s best interests. However, the legal fees include a $5,000 retainer—an amount we simply cannot afford on our own. We would never ask for help if we didn’t absolutely need it, but this is about Arya’s well-being, security, and future.

When Arya first came into our care at just 14 months old, she had so many struggles—she wasn’t walking or talking, was surviving on powder milk, and suffered from a persistent yeast infection. With love, patience, and care, she has made incredible progress. She’s now talking, walking, and thriving on solid food and proper nutrition. Her pediatrician has even noted how much better she’s doing compared to past records!

More than just physical health, Arya has flourished emotionally and socially. She was once terrified of new people, but now she enjoys meeting friendly faces. She used to fear bath time, but now she trusts and enjoys it. She has formed deep bonds with our family—she adores her Pappaw, cuddles with her sissy Christy, plays with BradLee, and finds comfort in Hope’s lap. She showers us all with love, giving hugs throughout the day and cherishing every moment with her daddy when he’s home.

Arya is not just living here—she belongs here. This is her home, her safe place, her family. The idea of her being taken away is heartbreaking, and we cannot bear to think of the confusion and pain it would cause her.

We are doing everything we can, but we cannot do this alone. Please, if you can, donate to help us cover the legal costs to fight for Arya’s custody. Any amount, big or small, will make a difference. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing our story. Your support means the world to us and, most importantly, to Arya.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us fight for the little girl who has already fought so hard to thrive.

With love and gratitude,

Josh & Kristeena Erisman-Mendez