Born from love, strengthened by faith, and renewed by hope. L&M Foundation shows that even in the darkest moments, God gives us the strength to keep helping others.
It started with a conversation and a shared desire. While getting to know each other, Juan and Johanna discovered the same passion: serving those who need it most. With no prior foundation experience but hearts full of love, we gave our dream a name: A Helping Hand.
The name reflects our philosophy: be that helping hand that gives without expecting anything in return. With roots in Agua de La Palma (Johanna) and Los Derramaderos (Juan) in Montecristi, we began right in our home communities.
In October 2021, we completed our first project: School Supplies for 20-25 children. That day changed our lives. We discovered something we had never experienced before: true happiness. For years, we chased it in material things — better jobs, cars, homes, vacations — but none of that made us truly happy, only briefly.
Seeing the smiles of wonder and joy on the faces of each child and their parents moved us deeply. That day we understood that true happiness lives not in things but in the smiles we spark and the lives we touch.
The success of the first project pushed us to do more. Between late 2021 and early 2022, we completed projects that touched hundreds of lives:
Christmas 2021: we celebrated with 55 children in two communities, bringing joy and gifts.
Painting Hearts: our first major project — we renovated 11 homes, directly impacting 40-50 people.
A Plate on Every Table: we distributed food to 26 families in three communities, fighting food insecurity.
Barefoot No More: we delivered new footwear to over 30 people in two communities, including Haitian families. Our zero-discrimination commitment began to take shape — everyone is equal before God.
We dreamed of reaching more communities and building even bigger projects. The foundation was growing — and so were we.
When faith is pushed to the limit
9 years
Lucas was diagnosed with autism at age 3 in 2019. In 2023, when Juan emigrated to the United States to form his family with Johanna, we faced difficult circumstances that required moving and changing schools for Lucas.
The changes were hard. Lucas experienced a temporary increase in behavioral crises. As parents, we learned how to help an autistic child adapt to major changes — to be more understanding and patient. Lucas needs our constant attention, 24/7.
Then came an unexpected turn. In December 2023, with the arrival of his little brother Moisés, Lucas began unimaginable changes. Although initial frustration was real, weeks after Moisés arrived, Lucas started his transformation.
Today, Lucas is practically a different child. He still cannot speak, but he understands many instructions, is incredibly friendly, and loves to play. In March 2024, he was able to return to his original school, where he continues progressing each day.
Lucas taught us that adaptation is possible, that a brother's love can be transformative, and that we must never lose hope.
Turns 2 on December 3, 2025
On December 3, 2023, Moisés came into this world fighting. At only 24 weeks gestation and weighing just 1 pound 9 ounces, doctors prepared us for the worst.
In his first 48 hours of life, he faced his first surgery: an emergency colostomy. Then came more interventions — intestinal reconnection that didn't take and required a second surgery, during which a G-tube was also placed.
His immature lungs needed direct respiratory tubes to his right lung. He fought pneumonia. He battled critical oxygen levels. For seven months, each day at Yale New Haven Hospital tested our faith.
Johanna traveled daily from Groton to New Haven (50 miles, 45 minutes) to be with him while working to support the family. Juan cared for Lucas in Groton, and on weekends, we were all together at the hospital.
But God had other plans. In June 2024, after four surgeries and multiple complications, Moisés left the hospital. Today he is walking and developing — and although he still has his G-tube, he's beginning to eat by mouth.
During the seven months Moisés was hospitalized, Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut in New Haven gave us something invaluable: a home near our son.
We lived 50 miles away and had nowhere to stay in New Haven. That was our biggest problem and worry. Ronald McDonald House allowed us to stay there the entire time — Johanna, Lucas, Juan, and any family who visited.
This experience transformed us. We learned firsthand what it means to need help. The despair of not knowing where to sleep while your child fights for his life just blocks away. The deep gratitude of receiving a helping hand when you need it most.
Today, when we support families in our communities, we don't just theoretically know what they need — we know because we lived it. That experience made us more empathetic, more committed, and more determined to be for others what Ronald McDonald House was for us: hope in the storm.
From A Helping Hand to L&M — A Name with Purpose
In June 2024, when Moisés finally left the hospital, we knew it was time to return. During those months of trial, we never stopped helping — we continued distributing diapers, milk, clothing, and food whenever we could. But we needed time to adapt as a family: a new baby who needed a feeding machine during his first months, and Lucas requiring constant special attention.
The desire to help never died. It lived in our hearts. With Moisés improving, the time came to return with strength.
We made a significant change: from A Helping Hand to L&M Foundation. This wasn't easy — A Helping Hand is where everything began — but it felt necessary.
L&M represents Lucas and Moisés — and so much more. It represents our struggles since 2023, Lucas' transformation, and Moisés' miracle.
The message we want to share is powerful: HOPE, FAITH, IT'S POSSIBLE, KEEP FIGHTING, TRUST GOD.
In August 2024, we officially returned with the Get Pretty project, bringing professional haircuts to 30+ children. Now we're preparing A Happy Child 2025 — our biggest Christmas yet.
Today, renewed and stronger than ever, we continue extending that helping hand under the name that honors our two warriors.
Two hearts, one mission
Co-Founder
Origin: Agua de La Palma, DR
Journey: Emigrated to the United States as a child, initially living in New York. Currently resides in Connecticut.
Profession: Quality Inspection
Contribution: Johanna used her knowledge and determination to legally register L&M Foundation in the U.S., ensuring we operate with transparency and professionalism.
Helping others taught me that true happiness isn't in material things but in the smiles we create and the lives we touch.
Co-Founder
Origin: Los Derramaderos, DR
Journey: Emigrated to the United States in 2023 to form his family with Johanna in Connecticut.
Profession: Web Developer & Technology | Delivery Driver (Spark)
Contribution: Juan developed the foundation's entire website at no cost and built tools that optimize project and donation management.
Each project is an opportunity to show that faith moves mountains and love transforms lives.
The principles that guide every decision and every project
Our driving force. Faith sustained us in the darkest moments and keeps us moving. We believe God has a purpose for every life we touch.
We love each person we serve as if they were family. We help because we genuinely care about people's well-being.
We bring hope to communities. Each project says: You are not alone. People believe in you and your potential.
We know what it's like to need help — we lived it with Moisés and Ronald McDonald House. That experience makes us more sensitive and committed.
Zero discrimination. We are all equal before God, regardless of race, nationality, or income.
Our commitment goes beyond words
Every dollar goes directly to projects. Juan builds tech at no cost. Johanna handles legal matters without charging. Our skills are our contribution.
We never stopped serving — even during seven difficult months with Moisés hospitalized. Our commitment doesn't depend on circumstances.
We serve Dominicans and Haitians equally. Need has no borders, and love doesn't discriminate.
Faith shown in concrete actions in every project. The faith that sustained us is the faith that moves us to act.
We dream big because we serve a big God
We will never lose who we are or what we do: help without regard to race, skin color, or economic status. We'll never lose the faith, hope, love, respect, and empathy that define us. These values are our compass.
What drives us to continue
When we arrive, we are greeted with joy and genuine smiles. No matter the circumstances, we are welcomed with open arms and grateful hearts.
The words we hear most often are simple yet powerful: May God bless you.
Those words remind us why we do this. They remind us we're not alone in this mission. Every smile, hug, and tear of gratitude is worth every effort, dollar, and hour of work.
We don't work for recognition or applause. We work because those sincere blessings from people who have so little yet give so much love are the fuel that keeps this mission alive.
Your support can change lives
Every donation, every hour of volunteering, and every word of encouragement helps us continue this mission. You don't need to be rich to make a difference — just willing.