Danny’s plan was to go to law school—until he realized how much he could help foster kids!

Danny Mendoza was planning on going to law school. But when he learned his cousin, Roger, was about to go into foster care, Danny decided that sometimes the best-laid plans have to change . . .

His desk spilling over with law books, Brea, California, college student Danny Mendoza yawned . . . but continued right on studying.

The son of immigrants, Danny’s dream had always been to become a lawyer. So after high school, he took a receptionist job at a law firm while attending night classes. Just then, the phone rang. “Roger and his mom are going to wind up in a homeless shelter!” Danny’s cousin cried, her voice cracking with worry.

Even if it means not going to law school—so be it!

“What? Why?” Danny blurted, thinking of nine-year-old Roger, the first baby Danny had ever held in his arms.

Roger and his mom had lost their apartment, Danny’s cousin explained. They’d lived in their car for a time, but now authorities were discussing placing Roger in foster care.

After hanging up, Danny sat, stunned, remembering what life had been like when he was Roger’s age. With two loving parents, a comfortable home, nice clothes and plenty of food, the worst thing he had to worry about was falling off his bike.

A child should never have to worry about having someone to take care of him! Danny thought.

Going online, he began to research foster care—and was shocked by what he discovered. Just 3% of kids in foster care graduate from college, he read on one government website. One in three foster children will be homeless by the age of 18, he discovered on another.

At his age, Danny wasn’t in a position to take Roger in. But he was determined to help. He began making calls to various agency workers. And when he told some friends what was happening, they began assembling a giant care package of new clothes and toiletries.

“Thanks, guys!” Danny beamed. And he was even more relieved when another relative was able to welcome Roger and his mom into their home. Visiting them, Danny roughhoused and joked with his cousin. But what about other kids like Roger? Ones who aren’t lucky enough to get the help they need?

So Danny convinced several friends to volunteer with him at a foster home. Surprisingly, though, they were turned away. “We can’t allow you to work with our kids until you’re 21,” the director explained.

Still, Danny knew something more had to be done. And if that means going all in— even if it means not going to law school— so be it, he decided. So he sold his car to rent a small office and founded Together We Rise (Togetherwerise.org), a nonprofit to help foster kids.

Learning most foster kids carry their few belongings in trash bags, Danny and volunteers began taking collections and assembling “Sweet Cases,” suitcases stuffed full of brand-new clothes, toys and books.

I never realized how important and special Antonio would feel to get a package. It made him feel like a prince. He kept saying, “You mean someone who doesn’t even know me loves me this much?” foster mom Jennifer Ignasiak wrote.

Today, Together We Rise continues to offer a helping hand, providing 60,000 foster kids with everything from school clothes to laptop computers to full college schol a r ships last year alone! “I never thought I could get my education and be successful. But Together We Rise shined a light on a new path!” says former foster child Gwenna, now a student at Texas University.

“Every kid deserves to know he is loved,” Danny smiles. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my life. I’m giving kids hope. And that’s worth far more than any money I could have ever earned as a lawyer!”

“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” John F. Kennedy