How we started
We are Miriam and Luis Castro, the founders of Willy Foundation. This non-profit organization started from a calling put in our hearts by God as a way to honor the legacy of our younger son William. William ‘Willy’, lost his life at the age of 10 in a tragic car accident in November 2016. Although his time on this earth was short, he marked the lives of so many people, while on earth and after going to heaven.
Our Story
Willy was known by his family, friends, teachers and anyone who knew him as a charming, loving, smart, kind and patient little boy. He was born in Cuba and migrated to the US with his parents and brother at the age of 5. Once here, he overcame many obstacles, including the language barrier, new country , new school, new friends and an entirely new culture. Nevertheless, Willy persevered and won over the hearts of his school teachers with his intelligence and discipline.
After his passing in November of 2016, our family took the bittersweet but rewarding decision to donate Willy’s organs. We knew he had gone to be with our Lord and his organs could change the life of so many other families. Willy changed the lives of four families who were losing hope for their loved ones, including another young boy whose life was dependent on a heart transplant.
Fast forward, following God’s calling, we decided to continue carrying forward the legacy of our son, while at the same time continuing to touch the lives of many other children in our community. Kindness, love and generosity were just a few of Willy’s qualities. Our hope is that all of the children our foundation can impact will cultivate these same qualities throughout the very difficult times our current world is facing.
Our Programs
Our organization seeks to help out children seeking emotional and behavioral support and whose families may not have the financial means to get the right help. We understand that cultivating kindness and love in children is not always up to the parents, our society also plays a big role in this.
The current world we live in has been proven difficult for any generation to endure, but especially children who have had to endure family loss and grief after a global pandemic, in addition to many not being able to use their time off school in a healthy way. Below are some of the programs our foundation is making an impact in.
Miami Vice Project
Is a children’s running club in Miami Florida. Its head coach Gino provides a healthy environment for children to use their free time in a physically demanding hobbie that teaches discipline and commitment. Our foundation is helping the club by providing uniforms, sponsoring competitions as well as awarding scholarships for a full year of membership to those athletes that embody passion and commitment for the sport.
Spanish Lakes Elementary
Is the school where Willy attended up until his accident. Many of their students, like many other children around the world, are trying to go to school while navigating through grief, family issues at home, behavioral concerns and many other areas that greatly affect their emotional and mental wellbeing. Our organization is sponsoring an emotional wellness program in which through the use of arts and crafts, nature, and Judo the students will be taught meaningful stress coping and discipline lessons that will enrich their growth.
His House Children’s Home
Is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to restoring and blessing the lives of children in need. We have partnered with His House to help them continue to bless and empower more children because we see how special, loving and caring they are with the children in their care. By caring for children we fulfill the purpose that God assigned to us when creating the Willy Foundation. We are committed to supporting their efforts not only financially, but also by having children participate in our events. These events aim to provide an enriching and fun way for children to play and lea
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Our hope is to impact all the lives of children in our community and assist them in cultivating good values and qualities that will help them in the future