The Ivan Man Fund

Hello Friends and Family. If you're following me on Twitter, Periscope, or Instagram you know my family is extremely important to me. Paticulary, I have a special bond with my Nephew, Ivan. Ivan is the center of our Family's Universe. Sideblinded, recently our family has endured a sad and painful tragedy.




When Ivan was only three, my sister Brandi and Ivan’s Father divorced. My sister and Ivan moved to our family home in Washington to rebuild their lives. Ivan’s dad stayed behind in Wisconsin. For the last six and a half years, Ivan has lived happily in Mount Vernon. He’s a great student, a happy kid with lots of friends who is loved by everyone he meets.




Ivan’s Father has been petitioning the Washington family courts for custody of Ivan for the last 6 months. If you’re at all familiar with the justice system, you know it can make arbitrary judgements that are not always fair. In the case of Ivan’s custody, the unthinkable happened. Three weeks ago, the court made a preliminary judgement awarding temporary custody to Ivan’s Father, effective within two weeks. Ivan was plucked from our family home and moved to Wisconsin with people he doesn’t know, in the middle of a school year. Brandi wasn’t even given visitation rights. She has to relegate her contact with Ivan to two 15 minute phone calls per week, pending an upcoming trial for permanent custody and visitation.




As many of you know my family home in Mount Vernon is a safe haven for me. When things get too crazy in Los Angeles I head home to Mount Vernon to be surrounded by the people who know me best and recharge my battery. Ivan was an integral part of that home, and with him gone we have been left with an enormous physical and emotional hole in our lives and hearts. The only hope we have is to retain our lawyer and hope for the best outcome going forward.




But, good lawyers are expensive. There are court filings, appearances, and other fees. Brandi has been working to make ends meet but was let go recently from her Job due to unnecessary court battles. My dad is 33 year respected Police Officer who is close to retirement, my mom is a dedicated homemaker who keeps the family together. They don’t have the means to fight this battle alone; and even though I am helping as much as I can, it’s not enough.




So I am making this GoFundMe account in the hopes of involving you, my other family: My community of friends and supporters who know and love Ivan through me. Your donations will make a huge difference in our fight to bring "Ivan Man" safely home where he belongs.


Thank you so much for all your love, support, and kindness during this hard time.  We as a family can't thank you enough.

-Chad
"The Lindberg Family"