For this Giving Tuesday, I want to share my path with you and ask for your help in bringing LYF to people in need.
I didn’t plan to stay in the Philippines. Initially, I came here to set up a call center for my business. Silicon Valley is my brain’s home.
But the more time I spent here, the clearer it became that this is where my heart belongs.
The sharing, the joy, and the resilience in the face of hardship. The way people accept differences, welcome “others,” and treat them better than themselves—even when they have so little.
The world needs more of that.
Initially, I was drawn to the hospitality and how far even a little could go in creating meaningful moments.
Over time however, I started seeing the patterns of needs in the friends I made.
During COVID, I saw the devastating impact of poverty on families and young people. I witnessed teens making heartbreaking decisions just to survive. I helped where I could—providing food, resources, and hope. But I quickly realized that if I wanted to make a lasting difference, I needed to think longer-term.
That’s why I founded Loving Yourself Forward (www.LYFiscoming.org).
At LYF, we’re focused on connecting at-risk girls aged 8–20 with the resources they desperately need—whether it’s food, medical care, psychological support, or educational opportunities. Our goal is to help stave off trafficking and drugs while building a foundation for a fulfilled life—helping young teens learn to care for themselves and inspiring them to guide others forward.
We’ve helped families with life-saving surgeries, provided temporary housing to a bright young girl who was sleeping on the street, and encouraged continuing education and family planning. Since starting LYF, I’ve learned so much about what resilience means.
I’ll never forget one of my friends, an 18-year-old who gave birth only to lose her baby minutes later. As we provided temporary housing and safety, she mourned and shed tears yet still smiled and cooked meals for the other youth around her at the facility. Her child is gone, and she visits him at the cemetery at times. Her life goes on, and she continues to care for herself while sharing her light with others—showing that even in pain, we can love ourselves forward.
We fight inequality and systemic issues by leveraging the power of community. But the need remains overwhelming, and we can’t do this without your help.
This Giving Tuesday, I’m asking for your support.
Your donation can directly help us:
- Provide emergency food and supplies to struggling families.
- Connect young teens with life-saving resources and counseling.
- Build a sustainable future where at-risk youth can learn to care for themselves and pass that kindness forward to others.
Even a small donation can make a difference.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for considering supporting LYF. Together, we can transform lives, one young person at a time, and encourage them to do the same. If this message resonates with you, please pass it on to two people you think might feel the same. Your voice can help us reach more people and bring more light to those who need it most.
With gratitude,
Patrick Bernard
Founder, Loving Yourself Forward