Help Give the Dominguez's a Home!

When 9 year old Diana began having difficulty reading the chalkboard and then tripped over her desk, her teacher knew that something was wrong. School administrators helped to get care for Diana and she was diagnosed with amblyopia, a condition in which her eye appears healthy, but her brain makes no connection with her eye and therefore she is unable to see clearly.

As school administrators began to help Diana, the sad truth of her life at home began to unfold…
The truth is, Diana has no home.  Here is Diana’s situation:

- Diana is being raised by her grandparents, who had both worked full time to afford their rent and food;
- Diana’s Grandmother, Angela, was diagnosed with aggressive throat cancer early this year and has not been able to work since beginning treatment
- Two months ago, Angela received surgery on her throat and thyroid, but it did not remove all of the cancer
- Between the lack of a secondary income and the medical bills accrued from treatments, the family lost their apartment;
- As I write this, Angela is in the hospital, receiving intensive chemotherapy treatments;
- The family is currently hopping from home to home, often living in over-crowded situations;
- Diana's Granfather, Jaime, is working around the clock at two different restaurants to support his family;
- Meanwhile, Diana needs treatment for her eyesight so that she may regain sight over time

That is where I came in.  Those caring for Diana had seen the campaign that I created for Babu and her family, http://www.gofundme.com/m59naw.  Through community support, we were able to purchase a home in Boulder Meadows for Babu and her family and completely changed the trajectory of their lives.  They now have equity in a home of their own and a land lease which is truly sustainable.  

I also know Jaime personally from my years working in Boulder restaurants and I can attest that he is one of the kindest, most hardworking men I have ever met.  My son, Ryder, goes to school with Diana.  She is a sweetheart who has been through so much in her young life.  Many families deserve help, and this is truly one of them!

*** I am asking that once again, the Boulder community come together to support Diana, Jaime and Angela! 

We have identified a mobile home that will work for this family.  Diana can stay at her current school, Angela will have a consistent place to come home from treatments to, and Jaime will remain close to work.  The best part is that the family will have a stable and sustainable home to call their own and Jaime will be able to afford the land lease on his own.  

A bit more information:  Diana qualified for the McKinney Vento program through the district which is providing transportation to school daily in order to prevent her from falling behind in her education. The family has also been connected with Sister Carmen in Lafayette which has become a great resource for them to receive basic needs. We have also looked into public housing as well as Senior Housing, but the waitlist is currently closed. This family needs to stay in Boulder if possible!  Staying in Boulder will allow the family to monitor Diana’s progress with doctor appointments, and it will allow Angela to get the chemotherapy that she desperately needs.  It will also help avoid forcing Jaime to take time off work to transport her (and potentially put in jeopardy his employment due to absences).

We have witnessed the incredible love and care that the Boulder community has for families in need. We know that through your support- as little or as much as you are able to give- we can give this family a sustainable and reliable home!