Support Families of Two Lost in Tragic DUI

On New Year’s Day, two young cousins, Nadia Charles and Junior Joseph Juste, tragically lost their lives while simply walking across the street in a devastating car accident in Lemon Grove. They were beloved members of the Haitian community, including the Haitian Refugee Community Center, and were full of promise, love, and life.

Both Nadia and Junior had survived catastrophic earthquakes, unimaginable poverty, intense violence, and political instability in Haiti. They journeyed over 3,000 miles to find safety in San Diego County, where their families worked tirelessly to provide them with a brighter future. Tragically, at just 19 and 20 years old, their lives were cut short by a reckless and careless driver.

Their sudden passing has left their families and friends heartbroken, lost, and struggling to bear the weight of this profound loss. The accident not only took two young lives but left a deep void in the Haitian community and beyond. Their families are now facing unexpected funeral expenses, medical costs, and the emotional burden of their untimely deaths.

We are asking for your help to ease this financial burden during this incredibly difficult time.

How Your Contribution Will Help:

Your generous donations will directly assist with:

• Covering funeral and burial costs for Nadia Charles and Junior Joseph Juste.

• Helping their families manage immediate expenses following this tragedy.

• Providing emotional and logistical support for the grieving families.

• Assisting the immediate family with retaining legal counsel to pursue justice.

Every dollar counts, and no contribution is too small. Your support will help these families during their darkest moments and ensure that Nadia and Junior are remembered with the dignity and love they deserve.

Why This Means So Much:

This tragedy has deeply impacted the Haitian community in Lemon Grove, San Diego, and the Haitian Refugee Community Center. Nadia and Junior were vibrant, kind, and hardworking individuals who touched the lives of everyone they met. Both were supporting their families in Haiti by sending back much of their earnings. Nadia was recently promoted to supervisor at her job, a testament to her dedication and potential.

They were also actively involved in their community. Both cousins were scheduled to attend a church workshop on the weekend, organized in collaboration with the San Diego Police Department, to help new immigrants adjust to local life. Their absence is a heartbreaking loss, not only to their families but also to the wider Haitian community and those who had the privilege of knowing them.

By coming together, we can show their families and the Haitian Refugee Community that they are not alone. Let us offer compassion and relief, demonstrating the kindness, generosity, and love that defines us all.

With Gratitude,

Rev. Dr. Johny Oxeda

Executive Pastor, First Baptist Church Ebenezer

On behalf of the Haitian Refugee Community Center and the families of Nadia Charles and Junior Joseph Juste