My Story | Mi Historia
I was born in the United States and spent an important part of my childhood being raised by my maternal grandparents. Their presence, love, and the values they gave me became an important part of the woman I am today. Later in life, as a young adult, my circumstances changed. I experienced firsthand what it means to struggle financially—times when even basic necessities, food, or medicine could be difficult to afford. Those experiences stayed with me. They taught me that behind every person asking for help, there is a story we may not know.
Nací en los Estados Unidos y pasé una parte importante de mi niñez al cuidado de mis abuelos maternos. Su presencia, su amor y los valores que me enseñaron se convirtieron en una parte importante de la mujer que soy hoy. Más adelante, siendo una joven adulta, mis circunstancias cambiaron. Conocí de primera mano lo que significa atravesar dificultades económicas, momentos en los que incluso cubrir necesidades básicas, alimentos o medicamentos podía resultar difícil. Esas experiencias se quedaron conmigo y me enseñaron que detrás de cada persona que pide ayuda existe una historia que quizás no conocemos.
The Name Behind the Mission | El Nombre Detrás de Nuestra Misión
The name Nieves Wings of Hope Foundation carries a deeply personal meaning for me. Nieves is my last name, inherited from my Puerto Rican father. Although I never had the opportunity to know him, his story has always been a part of mine. During the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, my father contracted HIV. He passed away before I ever had the chance to know him, leaving me with his name and a connection to a father I never had the opportunity to meet. I chose Nieves for the Foundation with great pride and in loving memory of my father. Through this Foundation, the name he gave me becomes part of a legacy centered on compassion, dignity, service, and hope. Wings of Hope is represented by the butterflies in our logo. Their wings symbolize hope, transformation, and the possibility of rising again even after life's most difficult moments. Just as a butterfly emerges transformed, I want these wings to represent hope for every child and family our Foundation touches.
El nombre Nieves Wings of Hope Foundation tiene para mí un significado profundamente personal. Nieves es mi apellido, heredado de mi padre puertorriqueño. Aunque nunca tuve la oportunidad de conocerlo, su historia siempre ha formado parte de la mía. Durante la epidemia del VIH/SIDA de los años 80, mi padre contrajo el VIH. Falleció antes de que yo tuviera la oportunidad de conocerlo, dejándome su apellido y una conexión con un padre a quien nunca tuve la oportunidad de conocer. Elegí Nieves para la Fundación con mucho orgullo y en memoria amorosa de mi padre. A través de esta Fundación, el apellido que él me dio se convierte en parte de un legado de compasión, dignidad, servicio y esperanza. Wings of Hope — Alas de Esperanza está representado por las mariposas de nuestro logo. Sus alas simbolizan esperanza, transformación y la posibilidad de volver a levantarnos aun después de los momentos más difíciles de la vida. Así como una mariposa emerge transformada, quiero que estas alas representen esperanza para cada niño y cada familia que nuestra Fundación pueda tocar.
From My Story to Our Mission | De Mi Historia a Nuestra Misión
Everything I have lived, the values my grandparents gave me, and the memory of my father have shaped my heart. I love them deeply and carry them with me always. Life has taught me that it is better to love than to hate, to forgive rather than hold onto pain, and to choose hope even in difficult times. With faith in God, I choose love, hope, and service. That is the heart of Nieves Wings of Hope Foundation.
Todo lo que he vivido, los valores que me enseñaron mis abuelos y la memoria de mi padre han formado mi corazón. Los amo profundamente y los llevo conmigo siempre. La vida me ha enseñado que es mejor amar que odiar, perdonar en lugar de aferrarnos al dolor y elegir la esperanza aun en los momentos difíciles. Con fe en Dios, elijo el amor, la esperanza y el servicio. Ese es el corazón de Nieves Wings of Hope Foundation.
To My Four Boys
Of all the blessings God has given me throughout my life, the four of you are, without question, my greatest blessing.
Through you, I discovered the truest, deepest, and most unconditional love I have ever known. You taught me a kind of love that has no limits, keeps no count, asks for nothing in return, and never ends.
If one day you are reading these words and I am no longer here to tell you myself, there is something I never want any of you to question:
You were loved beyond measure.
I loved each of you with everything in me. Each of you brought something different and beautiful into my life, and each of you has a place in my heart that belongs only to you.
If you want to remember me, please don't remember me only with sadness. Remember our laughter. Remember the crazy moments. Remember my hugs, my words, my faith, and all the little things that made us us.
And if there is one thing you can do for me, stay together.
Love one another. Take care of each other. Forgive each other. Be there for one another when life gets difficult. Celebrate each other's happiness and accomplishments. Make time for one another. Laugh together and continue making memories. No matter where life takes you, never allow distance, disagreements, or time to make you forget that you are family.
And no matter what life brings your way, always fight. Never give up. There will be moments when life knocks you down, when things seem unfair, or when you don't know how you will make it through. But get back up and keep going. Remember the strength that lives inside you.
We are survivors. We don't give up.
And wherever life takes you, never forget where you come from. Be proud of your roots, honor your heritage, keep your Spanish alive, and carry your history with pride. It is part of who you are.
Hold on to your faith. Hold on to each other. Keep moving forward. As long as God gives you another day, there is always hope and another reason to keep fighting.
More than anything, I want you to be happy.
Live your lives to the fullest. Follow your dreams. Love deeply. Laugh loudly. Travel. Make memories. Enjoy the little things. Thank God for every new day. Don't spend your lives waiting for tomorrow to be happy.
And every time you smile, smile a little extra for me. Knowing that the four of you are happy would make me happy too.
If there ever comes a day when you miss me terribly, come back and read these words. Remember how much I loved you. Wipe your tears, smile for me, and then go live another beautiful day.
And to my favorite person on the planet — you know who you are.
Never forget how deeply you were loved, how much joy you brought into my life, and how incredibly special you have always been to my heart.
To all four of you: never wonder whether I knew how blessed I was to have you.
I knew. Every single day, I knew.
You are the greatest blessing God gave me in this life. Nothing I accomplished, nothing I owned, and nothing else I experienced could ever compare to the blessing of loving the four of you.
And wherever I may be, always remember:
My love for you does not end where my life ends.
Stay together. Be happy. Keep God in your hearts. Take care of one another. Always fight and never give up. We are survivors.
Never forget where you came from, and always be proud of who you are.
And whenever you smile, think of me smiling too.
With all my love, forever,
Mom ❤️
Faith in God. Hope in Action. Love in Service.
Fe en Dios. Esperanza en Acción. Amor en Servicio.