Raul Acosta, eighteen, adopted his seven younger brothers when their mother died unexpectedly in 2014. Because there was no father figure in the picture, Acosta was compelled to perform the role himself. Acosta, now twenty-six, has managed to keep his family together; nevertheless, the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to tear them apart once more—until complete strangers stepped in to assist with the family’s funding.

Acosta had no intention of becoming a father at first. «I was hoping that someone in the family would take over and handle the responsibilities,» he told reporters. «I had my own set of plans.»

Acosta, on the other hand, felt obligated to his family. «But you gotta do what you gotta do,» he went on, «and I took the responsibility.» «I wasn’t going to let them go into foster care and be separated,» said Acosta. So I did everything in my power to keep them together.»

His family, which included infants and teenagers, lived in their childhood home in Glendale, California. Acosta has expressed his intention to remain at that address. «I’d rather keep them all together, know they’re all good, know they’re all safe, and keep them all under one roof,» he explained. Do you understand what I mean? This house belongs to them all. It gives me peace of mind knowing we’re all safe under the same roof.»

Acosta’s goals were nearly wrecked when he fell behind on mortgage payments and the bank threatened foreclosure if he would not pay over $14,000 by May 2022.

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For numerous years, Acosta has been represented by attorney Sandra Creta. Creta was the one who first helped Acosta get formal guardianship of his siblings. “I was so impressed by his maturity and the fact that he had already been packing lunches, braiding hair, changing diapers, and using his money from his job at Burger King to fix up the house for years,” Creta said of first witnessing Acosta’s strength. He had already become a father.»

Despite working various jobs, Acosta struggled to pay his bills. «When COVID hit, I ended up falling behind on payments,» Acosta explained to reporters. I have to pay for the electricity, water, and car and housing insurance; it all adds up.» They had also not gotten governmental help since December.

Their financial problems culminated in the family almost losing their home in the spring of 2022. Creta said she “reached out to the legal community and said I have this client who is one of the best people I know, and he needs help…there was no way I was letting this family lose their home.” They started a GoFundMe campaign together in April, just days before Acosta’s payment was due.

The $14,000 goal was surpassed in less than a week, despite the fact that many people only contributed $20. Many donors also left notes of encouragement for Acosta and his siblings. Jennifer, one of the donors, wrote, “Raul is a true hero, and we can all learn something from his dedication to his family. He demonstrates what true love is all about!” Acosta was able to stop the foreclosure with over $130,000 raised, and his family will be able to stay in their home for many years to come.