Hi friends and family,
It's Roshanda here—heart overflowing with memories and that quiet strength Elijah gifted me. Two years ago, on February 15, 2023, my dreamer Elijah slipped away at 19, leaving a legacy of joy, kindness, and fierce protectiveness that warms me still. As his third anniversary nears next February, I'm pouring our love into something he would've adored: Elijah's Legacy Group Home, a transitional haven for aged-out foster youth like the 18-year-olds he brought home from his own group home days.
Elijah was my light—always helping, always sharing his big heart. Group home transformed him, building resilience and teaching him to uplift others. He'd invite those friends over for home-cooked meals, late-night chats, and endless laughter, turning our space into a family bubble of hope.
Even after he left us, I kept welcoming them, watching them bloom but seeing the gaps: teens unequipped for the world, struggling with money smarts, bad influences like drugs or alcohol, and no clear path to jobs or studies. They needed more than a couch; they needed a mindset reset, real guidelines, and chances to chase dreams without fear.
In the quiet moments after Elijah's passing, I kept our door open to those young friends he cherished, sharing meals and dreams in our small space. But as a solo mom navigating this calling, I've seen the heartbreaking gaps: youth facing homelessness, gun violence, suicide risks, and mental health battles without the tools to rebuild.
With no team or grants yet, our current setup can't scale the love waiting to flow—it's time for a dedicated group home to offer that safe buffer, equipping them with mindset shifts, real guidelines, and community roots, turning pain into purpose just as Elijah taught me.
That's why this group home calls to me—a cozy unit where 8-10 young adults can live with me full-time, away from our cramped spot for easier, hands-on care. It's two years of transitional living: retraining mindsets with educational resources, life skills classes, job placements (or full-time student support), regular drug tests, and career planning to spot good vs. bad paths—from online safety to financial know-how. Then, a bonus year to save 40% of income, building that secure foundation Elijah would've cheered for.
Through Elijah E. Rufus Foundation, we're raising $50,000 on Letsfund to get started:
$30,000 for rent deposit, and $20,000 for furniture, kitchen basics, and cozy essentials to make it feel like home. Every $50 funds a skills workshop; $500 outfits a bedroom for fresh starts. This isn't goodbye to Elijah—it's his hope growing wild, giving these kids the buffer to become the strong, shining people he saw in them.
Will you join us? Donate, share with your crew, or light a candle in February. Together, we're weaving legacies of love, one safe step at a time.
With warm hugs and endless thanks,
Roshanda Casteel
Mom to Elijah | Founder, Elijah E. Rufus Foundation
