The EM3 Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Laura (Mendiola) and Elias Macias, Jr. of La Joya, Texas. In April 2018, they lost their only son, 16-year old Elias Macias, III, to suicide. Since suffering this excruciating loss, they have made it their mission to break the stigma about mental illness and suicide by bringing awareness to this often misunderstood subject. In its brief history, the EM3 Hope Foundation has already offered scholarships and sponsored awareness walks, and plans to continue to do so in the memory of their beloved son Elias - affectionately known as “Gordo” and “The Little Guy”. Although Elias’ life on earth came to a sudden end, the Macias family wishes to keep his light and memory alive by reaching out to others who may silently be suffering by making it known that there are resources available that
can assist when such feelings and thoughts occur.