Combining Passions - #WATWB - #GoFundMe

Goldin Martinez reading - borrowed from #GoFundMe article “Books can create a world for you that you never thought was possible." - Goldin Martinez
​
Welcome to the 8th month of the We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB. Last month, I mentioned a story about a judge and the books she gives away to youths who often are in "gangs". This month, I found a story that was in an email from Go Fund Me. It showed me that not everyone who comes from “bad beginnings” is destined for the "street life".

Goldin Martinez was born in New York City’s Washington Heights to parents addicted to crack cocaine. They abandoned him at the hospital, leaving him to bounce from foster home to foster home for years.

Eventually, Goldin found a foster family he loved and who loved him. They wanted to adopt him. But suddenly, the state ripped out the rug from under him and sent him to a family member—who turned out to be an abuser.
That’s when Goldin stopped hoping. Hope just led to hurt.

“At 16, I told myself that I was going to be a statistic,” says Goldin. “I thought I would grow up to be a drug dealer and die in the streets—until my English teacher Ms. Wallace changed my life.”

The story continues on to share about his new-found love of reading as well as the bullying he suffered from being skinny. He went on to learn how to be physically fit and became a personal trainer. He felt the call to help others learn the joy of fitness no matter their income. Later, he made a choice to combine his passions. To read how all of this came about and exactly how reading and physical fitness come together to help many, visit here.
​
Even if you don’t feel the urge to support his program, please feel free to share my blog with others so they can make a choice. When you have finished, please take a moment or more to visit this month’s co-hosts: Belinda Witzenhausen, Guilie Castillo, Mary Giese, Shilpa Garg, and Sylvia McGrath. 

For even more stories, check out the Facebook Community Page where several blog posts are awaiting your perusal, likes, and positive comments.

If you believe you can contribute a story on the last Friday of the month to the We Are The World Blogfest, then check out this post which explains a little more.

May you and yours enjoy reading posts, books, or whatever makes your day brighter.

Lynn Hallbrooks
Reader/Blogger/Author/Founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC




We Are The World Blogfest Badge