Let’s bring Tia home Llevemos a Tia a su casa

Tia Blanca was a kind woman who came from El Salvador to the US in the 90s's for better opportunities. At the time she had recently given birth, temporarily leaving her child behind in order to make it safely to the US.

Once she arrived, Tia Blanca worked tirelessly in order to provide for her children here in the US and to her extended family back home in Agua Fria.

This generous nature of hers extended so wide that Tia Blanca often opened her home to anyone who needed shelter; this blessing was granted to my mother. 

During the early 2000's my mother was struggling financially after the death of her father as well as being a single parent, making every effort she could to raise my brother and I. The burden became so great that Tia Blanca offered the stability of her home along with a great deal of emotional support while my mother recovered from her loss. Thanks to her support we were able to move back to Los Angeles and began life anew.

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Tia Blanca spent her entire life in the US working, often times holding several jobs, yet her primary occupation was as a Hotel Housekeeper.

A naturally caring person, Tia Blanca brought an immense amount of kindness into her work, often times making intricate folds and displays with hotel towels so that guests arrive to a welcoming atmosphere. In spite of the dangerous reality of COVID-19, she was not entirely aware of her precarious position as an essential worker. Her primary concern was to be able to provide stability for her loved ones and community.

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During her time, Tia Blanca was actively involved in community organizing, going so  far as to become the founding member of a committee dedicated to improving the living conditions of Agua Fria . Needless to say she felt a great deal of pride and humbleness that her and the committee's efforts resulted in the success of several projects such as:
-opening a community clinic
-raising funds in order to pay the doctors' salaries
-renovating the community church
-rebuilding the community center


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Despite taking as many safety precautions in order to perform her essential duties, Tia Blanca was unfortunately diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized on November 23rd 2020. After a three week long battle, enduring a cocktail of pain killers, antibiotics, blood thinners, a medically induced comma, being put on a ventilator after her lungs failed, the implementation of the ECMO machine , for some time she seemed to be improving.

Tia Blanca ultimately suffered a stroke which left half of her brain dead and suffered from cardiac arrest. She passed away December 16th 2020.

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One of her wishes was to go back home and be buried with her mother in Agua Fria.

We are asking the community for help raising the funds to be able to honor Tia Blanca, to grant the final wish to a beloved community member, a dedicated mother, a woman who made it her life mission to give back to the world, she was constantly looking for ways to help others.

We ask that you help us honor Tia Blanca's final wish.

Thank you for your time.



12/18/2020


Thank you all for the first day of donations!
The support has been truly generous given the financial circumstances that most of us are in due to COVID-19. This makes this fundraiser a lot more special. The whole family sends you all a big warm thank you and I know my aunt is especially happy.

-Yasenia Conde