Odair Fernandes

My name is Odair  fernandes and I am writing you on behalf of Tudo D'junto which means all together. As a organization, our primary focus is working in collaboration with outside community members in order to prevent and disrupt the unnecessary cycles of violence which continue to plaque our communities. It is our goal to consider meaningful ways to begin to repair the harm and fractured relationships within our community. We approach this work through the lens that we need safer and stronger commutes. A place where all children have equal opportunity to thrive and rejoice at a chance of a promising future. It's a well known fact that our young people lack real opportunity as well as the necessary resources to develop into mature adults. As a result they are slowly losing their lives to gun violence or finding their way to prison at a young age. Unfortunately, I was one of those young people who struggled early on in my life and found myself living a troubled life. I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts and came from a good home. Yet I been in prison for the last 21 years of my young adult life. So I know from first hand experience all too well what happens when you are misguided and dealing with unprocessed trauma and pain. I was arrested at 19 years old and sentenced to life in prison at just 22 years old, while incarcerated I had the time to reflect deeply on my life and past mistakes and came to the realization that there is a better way forward. I had the opportunity to not only become a better person but explore ways to contribute back to the community we took so much from. Tudo D'junto hopes to influence the type of change which will have a greater impact on generations to come. There are way too many broken homes and families as a result on gun violence, I personally feel that if we are able to come together and learn to work together we can positively create sustainable  change. The road maybe hard to travel and the journey long but at our current rate the way things currently stand what hope or chance does our youth really have? We as member of Tudo D'junto will use our voice and narratives to empower, encourage and uplift our young people. With your help and support, together as a community we can do so much good. We are currently looking to host a event August, 24 to raise awareness and advocate for change and we need financial support to make this possible. Any assistance that you are capable of providing will go directly to helping those who truly need it. Thank you for your time in regards to this matter, may you have a blessed day!