Patricia McKay Verbeeck’s 17-year-old child took their life by suicide on March 6, 2018. Hope, born as Eric Verbeeck, was in the process of a gender transition to female.
People across South Florida are opening their hearts and contributing to YES Institute in Hope’s memory, honoring a request Hope made in a goodbye letter. The obituary and an interview with Patricia appeared in the Miami Herald.
You can prevent the heartbreaking loss of a young life. Consider a contribution to the 2019 Hope Verbeeck Fund that allows for YES Institute educational dialogues in schools, that can reduce stigma and bullying on gender and orientation.
Contact us at 305-663-7195 or click DONATE NOW to contribute online.
If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call the Miami-Dade 2-1-1 JCS Helpline or access the mental health agencies and resources on YES Institute’s Miami-Dade Gender & Orientation Resource Guide.
2019 Hope Fund Donors
| Total Donor Contributions = | $3,675 |
| Patricia Verbeeck Matched Funds = | $3,675 |
| Total 2019 Hope Fund = | $7,350 |
| Dr. Carol Clark Cécilia de Almeida Frachesen Tamera Ezrol Olga Halley Christina Lantigua Maureen Lyons de Gonzalez Bob Medina & Hector Zuazo | Robert Oldakowski & Luis Mendoza Alina San Giovanni Jennifer Solomon Emilio Vazquez Tim Wagoner Libby Witherspoon James Zimmerman Joseph Zolobczuk |
2018 Hope Fund Donors
Leading donors who contributed to the beginning of the Hope Fund.
| Visionary Level | Professionals Society Level |
| Patricia Verbeeck | Suresh & Sheila Chainani |
| Mentor Level | Marika Lynch & Adrian Villaraos |
| Cécilia de Almeida Frachesen | John Sugden |
| Michael Villasana | |
| Caryn Amster | Megan Killion |
| Milagros Blanc | Charles McCutcheon |
| Jeffrey Brosco | Marty McGuire |
| Helen Brotherton | Hilda Mitrani |
| Elissa Chakoff | Jose Prendes |
| Julissa Chirinos | Irene Pilinger |
| Lauren & Alan Cohn | Eve Pinder |
| Lois & Walter Cook | Alina San Giovanni |
| Marty Davis | George Sauvigné |
| Helen Farber | Lisa Sloat |
| Suzan Farber | Danielle & Leonard Strickman |
| Fred Fejes | Kimberly Vine |
| John & Paula Festa | Allison Weinstein |
| Eric Hankin | Hope & Mark Wigmore |