Help Rico with his journey

    Hello my name is Rico. I currently live in Cleveland, Ohio.  As a child growing up, I lived in a gang and drug-infested neighborhood. I've seen 5 homicides with my own eyes , My childhood was not only just me fearing for my life on a daily basis but, protecting myself from bullies and other children who teased me for not fitting in. Over time through pressure, I was force to became a product of my environment for my own protection. My father was taken away from me and my family when I was at the age of seven due to incarceration,Shortly after that I started losing close friends at the age of 13 to gang violence. Experiencing the hardship and violence around me sadly cause me to develop PSTD. 

  Although all was happening, the one thing that bought me peace and happiness was caring and nursing orphaned wildlife stray animals. They give me a sense of hope and purpose. I know that caring of wildlife is very dangerous but, it is something I am very passionate about. Animals are more afraid of us then we are of them. They are hopeless and helpless in a world trying to kill them. Which is how I felt as a child. I still live in a dangerous neighborhood but not the same one I grew up in. I want more and better for myself and working hard is the only way out. This was hard for me to do because I don't want to be judged or looked down upon. 

    I started this gofundme so, I can be able to afford a portion of land and build a rehabilitation center for my animals that I am caring for and to care for more animals in the future I’ve been involved in animal rehabilitation and rescuing for a while now I’m working on getting  my self out of this environment I want to live along enough to see my dreams come true the longer I am here the more chances I Have of loosing my life , I am in a tight spot finically as most of us are, and any amount of donations would be a great help to reaching my goal and seeing my dream come to life. I have a purpose in life that i haven’t fulfilled and I don’t want it to end before I can see it.