Family struggles after mom's death

Juan Alameda went to a bank to open a savings account Wednesday for the first time.

His wife, Melinda Gonzales, used to take care of those kinds of things, he said.

Since the tragic death of his 30-year-old wife during a recent drive-by shooting in Immokalee, Alameda is doing many things for the first time that she used to handle.

Suddenly his job is not only to earn a living for his family, but to take care of his four children.

Alameda said he has always been a man with the ability to support his family, but now he has to be a two-parent figure to his children.

The past week has been filled with tears and sadness for Alameda, relatives and friends.

The 27-year-old father, a farmworker during harvesting season and a land-clearing laborer when farming season is over, has also begun to turn his thoughts to his financial situation.

Alameda is asking for the community’s support to benefit his four children, Melanie Marie Ortiz, 12; Adrian Ortiz, 6; Gisila Alameda, 3, and Jaylen Alameda, 1½, who lost their mother.

Alameda didn’t open a trust account for the children’s future because they need money now, he said.

“I feel weird. I’ve never asked anyone for money,” Alameda said. “I don’t want them (donors) to think that I’m bumming off of them.”

Alameda hopes to raise money through community donations so that he can find a new home away from the memories of what happened. His family can no longer live where his wife, known as Melly, was shot in the head May 30, in front of their mobile home on Peach Street in Immokalee.

His children were outside playing when they saw their mother get shot that night.

Currently, the family is living with Alameda’s grandmother in Immokalee.

His brother-in-law, Virgil Reyna, accompanied him on the trip to the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union office in Immokalee. Reyna has been emotionally supporting him since Alameda’s wife died.

His mother-in-law and sisters-in-law have been taking care of the children when he is at work.

Alameda, who had been married for more than four years, said he continues to stay strong for his children. He thanked his family and community members, some of whom had never met Melly, but who have prayed for his wife.

Donations can be sent to Alameda’s new savings account at Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union for a home and assistance for the family. The credit union’s Immokalee office is at 1504 Lake Trafford Road, Immokalee, 34142.