Yonan Matti
We are extending our thanks to local news networks out of the El Cajon, CA area for covering the Help Hope Live fundraising campaign and April 26 fundraiser in honor of Yonan Matti.
Yonan is a 23-year-old living with cerebral palsy who fled his home in Iraq to become an American citizen.
He uses an eye-tracking device attached to his power chair to speak. Yonan calls aide Elizabeth Castagnera his best friend. She began supporting Yonan when he aged out of his high school program and she retired as a special education teacher.
When we first reached out to Yonan’s local media in early March, over $4,000 had been raised in his honor. Today, we’re happy to share that the funds raised in his honor have surpassed $9,000.
During his interview with local media, Yonan shared his excitement for the upcoming fundraiser later in April, which will include live music, a silent auction, drawings, a Mexican dinner, and even some comedy:
“The main jokester, it turns out, will be Matti himself.”
