Adrian Nolasco was raised in the Bronx, New York and spent much of his childhood in foster care. His mother struggled with substance use, and his father was in jail, according to the Riverdale Press. When he was 7 years old, the Administration for Children's Services removed him and his three siblings, and placed them in a foster home.
A woman took him in and moved them to North Carolina. Adrian said everything seemed fine at first, but by age 11 he said it was "nothing short of hell." So he decided to run away. He saved all the money he could working at McDonald's, and at age 15 he boarded a bus to New York.
He slept on trains and borrowed couches, trying to avoid being sent back. But when Adrian's adoptive mother reported that he had taken money from the home for the trip, a warrant was issued. He eventually turned himself in and moved through group homes before serving time in a North Carolina juvenile facility. He aged out of the foster care system at 18 years old and became homeless.
Despite his difficult circumstances, Adrian graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx. Adrian credits his guidance counselor Doris Diaz Negron who became a mother figure to him, and helped him sign up for high school. Bronx School of Law and Finance Principal Jessica Goring was also very important in Adrian's life.
"I first met Adrian in the cafeteria, sitting alone but with a welcoming smile. He was waiting for his program, and I brought him to the office to review his transcript, place him in the appropriate grade, and learn more about this new student. That was when I learned that Adrian was on his own, living in a men's shelter," Jessica Goring said in a Facebook post.
Adrian went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Human Services and Criminal Justice from John Jay College. After graduating, he worked as a social worker with incarcerated youth in New York City, according to a CBS New York interview.
In 2024, he enrolled in the Master of Arts program in International Relations and Affairs at SIT Graduate Institute. There he earned a 4.0 GPA. During his studies, he completed an internship with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, known as ACCORD, which focuses on peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
But then his life took another unexpected turn. In June 2025, Adrian was studying wildlife conservation and political ecology in Tanzania. And while riding a motorbike to his hotel, he was struck by a speeding car in a hit-and-run.
The crash caused severe injuries, and his right leg was split at the knee. He was taken to a hospital, and after three days doctors stated that the only way to save his life was to amputate the leg above the knee. Adrian returned to New York for recovery and physical therapy.
Principal Jessica Goring suggested that Adrian create a GoFundMe. At first he hesitated, but he eventually launched a GoFundMe page called Help Me Walk Again After Tragedy in Africa. He stated that he needs a modern prosthetic leg and that it "costs approximately $150,000."
"Waking up from surgery without my leg was a moment I'll never forget but I'm still here. And I'm still determined. Now, my goal is simple: to walk again. With the right prosthetic leg so I can be able to regain mobility, independence, and continue the work. I will appreciate the help in getting me a prosthetic leg," Adrian said on his GoFundMe page.
Over 358 donations have poured in totaling over $30,000 to support Adrian in his rehabilitation. On August 20, 2025, his doctors cleared him to walk with a prosthetic leg, according to an update on his GoFundMe page.
What remains clear is that Adrian is determined to keep moving forward. On July 31, 2025, he published an article in Independent Online that examined how African billionaires can use strategic philanthropy to support education, healthcare, climate resilience, and economic development across Africa and other developing regions.
Adrian is 26 years old, and his story is proof that when life knocks you down, you can still rise again. To support Adrian Nolasco, donations can be made through his GoFundMe page.