Dear family and friends,

Life has brought our family—Joey, Maya, and Kim—some unexpected challenges this year. On March 1, 2025, Joey experienced a serious mental health crisis that shifted the course of our lives. Since then, we’ve been on a journey of healing, resilience, and rediscovery.

Joey has been working hard to recover, and we are incredibly proud of the strength and determination he shows every day. His journey is a powerful reminder of how important it is to talk openly about mental health, reduce stigma, and support one another through difficult seasons.

Kim has been caring for our daughter Maya while supporting Joey through treatment and recovery, managing the household, and navigating the financial strain that has come with this crisis. It’s been a challenging time—but it has also deepened our compassion, our clarity, and our sense of purpose.

We’ve always been a private family, and asking for help isn’t something that comes naturally to us. But this season has taught us that family means everything, and sometimes that includes leaning on family and friends. That’s why we’re opening up and sharing our story.

We are currently facing financial strain from:

• Medical expenses
• Legal fees
• Mortgage payments

Give A Hand is a way for those who’ve asked how they can help to do so. Any contributions will go directly toward helping our family stabilize so we can focus on healing, care, and moving forward. For those who choose to give, we fully intend to repay your generosity in the future—whether financially or by paying it forward through service and support.

In facing these difficulties, we have come to recognize that even the most trying circumstances can lead to deeper purpose and transformation. This experience has inspired Kim to advocate for improved, compassionate responses to mental health crises—particularly in how they are handled by law enforcement. Once our family has regained stability and is in a stronger place emotionally and financially, Kim hopes to pursue a path within the legal system or law enforcement and become trained as part of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). These specialized teams are trained to approach mental health emergencies with empathy, insight, and professionalism—qualities every individual and family in crisis should be met with.

We would also like to extend a deep and heartfelt thank you to Kim’s parents, who have been an unwavering support system through it all. In the immediate aftermath of March 1, they stepped in to help care for Maya and made sure she felt safe, loved, and supported—providing the steady, nurturing environment she needed while Kim navigated the crisis. Their presence made all the difference.

We also want to thank our families and neighbors who have shown up along the way—with check-ins, kind words, and quiet acts of love that helped lighten the load. Every bit of support has meant more than words can express.

If donating isn’t possible right now, we understand completely. Sharing our story or sending a word of encouragement means the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for holding space for our family, and for being part of our support system. We are learning every day just how powerful love and community can be.

With love and gratitude,
Kim, Joey, and Maya

Here is some additional information on CIT:

https://www.nami.org/advocacy/crisis-intervention/crisis-intervention-team-cit-programs/

How can we help make a difference?
https://www.change.org/p/the-victor-project