Uncle in need of funds to provide home for his family

LOCH SHELDRAKE –– Angelo Flecha went from being a single guy to a single parent overnight.

In November 2020, Angelo’s younger sister Jailyn was murdered by the father of her two children, leaving his niece Illiana (7) and nephew Isaiah (6) without a home.

Without a second thought, Angelo took them in.

“It was definitely a huge transition,” said Angelo. “Truth be told, I’m learning every day, with help from friends and family. I’m just trying to do the best I can. I knew for a fact that I wasn't going to let these kids, the only piece of my sister left, go.”

Jailyn’s death came not even a year after their mother passed away from a terminal illness.

Angelo is the head of security at YO1 Health Resort in Monticello. His father, also named Angelo, a disabled veteran, lives with him and the kids, helping with them as Angelo works.

About a year and a half ago, Angelo bought a mobile home, in which to raise the kids, but it was in need of several repairs.

When he first started the project, things were moving along, but he eventually hit a snag.

“I couldn’t find anybody to come in [and] reasonably take care of the work,” he said. “I don’t have the money to do it,” Angelo said. “So I ended up trying to get what I could done ... with the help of everybody that’s been gracious enough to help us, we’ve gotten to this point, but we’re still so far off.”

In between trying to do repairs himself and work, Angelo and his family have been staying with a friend.

However, that friend has been having issues with their landlord and with conditions at the apartment. The friend is now facing eviction, which will soon leave Angelo and the kids homeless.

Angelo is running out of time. In addition to  struggling to find money to complete the repairs on his home, he’s also falling behind on bills.

“Things are really bad for me right now,” he said. “With everything with the kids and life and work on top of everything else, it’s just a lot. I’m really losing stability of my life and the life that I’m trying to build for myself and my family.” 

While he isn’t one to ask for help, preferring to take care of his own, with money tight and time running out, he had no choice.

He’s launched a GoFundMe page with a goal of $25,000 to help him finish repairs on their home, so they will have a place to live.

Donations have begun to come in, and Angelo said he appreciates all the love and support he and his family have received.

“It’s so overwhelming and has brought me to tears multiple times,” he said. “You kind of lose faith in people and the world ... until something like this happens.”

To make a donation to assist Angelo and his family, go to: www.gofundme.com/f/struggling-angels.