an update on why i’m raising money and who it’s for
Hi friends 💛
I wanted to share more about the two families I’ve grown close to in Gaza who I help raise funds for.
I met both families on Instagram, and over time, our conversations moved to voice notes, messages, and eventually, video chats. Now, we talk almost every day. I’ve gotten to know their lives, their routines, their fears, their joys. I’ve laughed with them, cried with them, celebrated small victories with them. These aren’t just “people I met online.” They’re part of my heart.
The first person I connected with was Alaa. She’s 17 and lives in Gaza with her parents and three younger brothers. Even in the middle of a war, she’s continued to study—taking classes at a makeshift school in her refugee camp because she dreams of becoming a doctor. She’s one of the most resilient, brilliant, and kind people I’ve ever met. Recently, Alaa made the incredibly brave decision to try and evacuate with her mother. It’s not something she wants to do—it’s something she has to do. I’m working to raise money to make that possible.
The second family I support is connected through Faris, a 20-year-old who lives with his parents, two brothers, sister, and grandfather. Faris is thoughtful, tender-hearted, and incredibly grounded despite the chaos around him. His family, like Alaa’s, has been displaced multiple times and is struggling to access food, water, and medical supplies.
What started as a few messages has grown into something deeper than I ever could have imagined. These families have let me into their lives with so much trust, and I feel deeply honored to hold that trust with care. I’m not a nonprofit, and I’m not part of an organization. I’m just a person with a small platform and a belief that we all deserve to live in safety and with dignity. Mutual aid is how I try to live that out—redistributing resources not out of charity, but out of love and shared humanity.
If you’ve purchased a piece of art, booked a reading, or donated in any way, thank you. Your support has made it possible to send money for food, medicine, rent, and other essentials. It’s also helping Alaa and her mom take steps toward evacuation, something I hope we can make happen soon. None of this would be possible without you.
If you’re new here and want to get involved, you can check out the offerings on my site or reach out if you'd like to get involved. Every little bit helps.
We aren’t powerless, even when it feels like it. And our liberation—yours, mine, theirs—is bound together.
with all my heart,
jules 💛