Story
It pains me to share that our beloved brother, mentor and dear friend, Ernesto Yanes-Arnold, is in the ICU due to a spinal injury that he sustained from a gunshot wound a little over a week ago. Ernesto is staying strong and praying for a full recovery, but expects to be in the hospital for possibly another month and could use all of our prayers and support. Every donation made here goes directly to Ernesto. Everyone who meets Ernesto is immediately drawn to him. His wit, humor, positivity, light, and ability to connect so naturally with others make him the magnetic young man that so many of us know and love. He is the living embodiment of the lyric "I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished with the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid," and he uses his spirit and swagger to bless others - another one of the countless reasons he is beloved by so many. For most of his life, Ernesto has dedicated his time and efforts toward advocating for, guiding and mentoring systems impacted youth, especially those who have endured family separation through the foster care system. He has leveraged his own experiences with foster care, probation and homelessness to shed light on the inequities impacting our most vulnerable youth and young adults; advocate for policy changes at the local, state and federal levels; and serve as a mentor and leader among his peers and to youth who are currently living through hardships that he knows and has lived through personally. From LA and Sacramento, to DC and many places in between, Ernesto has raised his voice to advocate for more resources and support for foster youth. In addition to his advocacy, Ernesto pursued higher education and received a bachelor's degree, all while experiencing homelessness. Less than one week before the tragic incident that landed him in the hospital's trauma unit, Ernesto successfully completed the first year of his Master of Social Work degree at Cal State Dominguez Hills while working full time as a near-peer mentor to current youth in foster care and caring for his newborn baby. This unexpected tragedy comes as a shock to us all, and is beyond heartbreaking for Ernesto, his family and loved ones. Ernesto has undergone two surgeries since being hospitalized, and has a long road to recovery that will include ongoing therapy and rehabilitation services. Ernesto and his family need our support. Let's show up for him the way he has and continues to show up for so many. Please keep Ernesto in your prayers, send positive thoughts/energy his way, and give what you can to support him and his family in the following ways: - Donate to this GoFundMe. All proceeds will go directly to Ernesto and will assist with the medical expenses related to his rehabilitation. - Send his family a meal or gas card. His mom, brother and fiancé are taking turns staying with him in the hospital and could use gift cards to buy food, as well as funds for gas. You can purchase gift cards that will go directly to them at this Give In Kind donation site. - Send items for the baby. Ernesto and Kenya welcomed their beautiful baby boy into the world on January 1, 2025. As Kenya is 4 months postpartum, taking care of the baby and also being present to support Ernesto, she can use some help with diapers, other baby items and gifts for self care. If you have anything to give, please send them her way. - Share words of encouragement. Given the sensitive nature of his recovery, Ernesto is not able to have visitors at this time. If you would like to send words of encouragement, please comment on this GoFundMe page, or send a private message so we can share your words with him. Even though he cannot see you right now, your words mean so much and are the encouragement he needs to continue pressing forward. All of us who know and love Ernesto know that he has overcome many obstacles in life and has risen above each challenge, coming forth stronger and a more refined leader like the phoenix that he is. We remain hopeful and prayerful that Ernesto will rise above this obstacle, too. Thank you for contributing what you can to make his recovery as smooth as possible.