Hi my name is Freide Pineda I am the president of Reaching Lost Souls INC. Here is a little bio of myself I was born in 1986 Santiago de Cuba me and my parents and my brother left Cuba on a boat with 15 other passengers we stayed at Guantanamo Bay for about a year before arrive to the United States in December 1994. As many of us, we had our goods and our bad in our struggles as we settle into the United States in Miami Florida my parents separated a year after being here in America. I lived with my dad, my brother live with my mother in 2000 my dad got arrested. I was on the streets, eating food out of trash cans behind gas stations to survive and still I remain going to school because school was a secure meal for me and my education has always been important to me. My father got released a couple weeks later things were back to normal and I graduated from Miami senior high in 2005 from there I join the military July 2005. My MOS in the military was 11 bravo light infantry don’t know why they call it light infantry because there was nothing light about it. I deployed to Iraq in 2007. I did a 15 months tour. As I transition out of the military life has not been easy I struggle with PTSD chronic pain fibromyalgia I have had a total of 17 surgery and I do say if it wasn’t for the support of my wife and family I would not be here today, so if you do struggle with any mental health please reach out to us even if you just want to talk we’re here for you. In 2008 i met the love of my life my wife Alana Pineda your vice president we have three beautiful amazing daughters Rosemary, Leanna, and Alexzandria I received my calling at camp sitting with my wife on the porch talking about how we can make an impact for our veterans and our community and from there on it all took off till today’s date. Thank you for taking the time and getting to know me just a bit.
Hello all, my name is Dawn Farman and I am, a life long Syracuse resident. I was raised on the west side of Syracuse in the 90’s when it took a village to raise a child. When I was growing up we always knew we were poorer than most of the kids we went to school with or even knew. However our parents tried and tried their best. My mom didn’t have much to offer anyone but she still helped everyone who she could and they knew she would feed them and never turn anyone away. I am not saying my life has been easy because it wasn’t, but once high school at Fowler started it went from bad to worse. Normal under privilege inner city stuff took me down a rabbit hole of bad choices. That is what started my mission to help people, I always wanted to give all my love and energy to change the world but you cant change it unless you start in your own yard. I had so many people try to reach me and guide me in my darkest days and I was too angry to listen but now that I have children I just want to help make their lives better and show and teach everyone there is better out there. That your current situation isn’t your finally situation. It’s like a lotus growing in muck of the pound and as the seasons change so does the lotus. Poverty can be over come.
“You are strong, strong you are.”D.F
My name is Patricia Young, I am the current Auxiliary President of the Lafayette VFW Post 1955. I grew up my whole life helping others as a volunteer fireman in Pompey and Lafayette NY. I grew up with my parents teaching me to always help those in times of need because you never know when it might be you. This did happen to me shortly after a car accident, honestly I could not have been more thankful for my community and friends. My husband and my family joined Reaching Lost Souls as volunteers to do everything we could to give back to our communities. Our goal is to have no one feel like they deserve any less due to their circumstances they are facing now. Everyone deserves a second chance to smile, Have you made someone smile today?
My name is Mark Young, I served in the United States Navy from 1988-1992. I have been all around the world and have helped many people in my career with the military. I am the current commander at the VFW in Lafayette, NY where my wife and I live. This is where one night at a meeting I met the Pineda's and after listening to what they were all about i became a part of Reaching Lost Souls. I also feel that no Veteran or family should ever be without life's basic necessities and this is what the organization goal is all about. Is this something that interests you? Join us and volunteer, fill out a form and see what we are all about.
Your contribution is what makes it possible to help those in need who have bravely served our country.