Help Sylvia

Loving mother, friend, grandmother, community activist, and civil rights defender Sylvia Ontaneda-Bernales has been given 5 days to leave the home she was promised by her deceased husband.  A man who built a church in Reno, called ICC - his first son has taken over the church and decided to kick his own mother from her home.

Please see below a note from Jamila Savoy, Sylvia's daughter which details the sad and horrible circumstances under which her mother is being forced form her home.

For years I have kept quiet. No more. The person who used to be my brother has repeatedly chosen hate, cruelty, and lies over compassion, loyalty, love, decency. Today I break my silence. Here is the eviction notice giving my 70 year old mother 5 days to vacate the home my father promised her for life upon his death and, in doing so, made us all promise to take of her. Gene Savoy Jr. is no brother of mine and may God forgive him and his deceptions as a supposed man of the cloth. The church he purports to lead, ICC, is one of darkness as they support his decisions to cast out not only a good person, but one of the founding members of the legacy my father created which has been bastardized by his eldest son. He chose to squander a second chance at life for an existence of alcoholism, darkness, and greed. Gene's judgement will come from a higher power and from the Reno community, which I know will not tolerate acts such as these to stand without accountability.

I am far away and would appreciate any help from my friends to relieve the burden my mother now has to pack a lifetime in so short a time, and of course, relieve the burden and shame of knowing the child you brought into this world has such disdain in his heart. Please reach out.


The funds being collected will go to Sylvia's legal fund to defend her rights to stay or if she decides to move, help her find a new place and cover her moving expenses.