We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ellie Gonzalez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ellie below.

Ellie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

As a 19 year old, I am proud to say my parents have been my biggest supporters.
Hi, my name is Ellie Gonzalez. I am the founder of 5HelpFresno. 5Help National was started in New Jersey in 2020 at the start of covid by teens Drew and Heather Pagilia, to help first responds $5 at a time. Since then it has grown into an all teen ran non-profit volunteer group. I founded the 5HelpFresno chapter in January of 2021. We are the first chapter ever of 5Help national. Through all the good and bad, my parents have stuck around to help me and my team. Before I could drive, they were the ones taking us and picking us up at volunteering events. Before I had a job, they were the ones help with monetary items needed for our non-profit. All though this is an all teen ran non-profit volunteer group, and all the work is done but us, if my parents hadn’t show me the skills to run this successful non-profit, it would have never been where it is today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, my name is Ellie Gonzalez and I am the founder of 5HelpFresno. 5Help National was started in New Jersey in 2020 at the start of covid by teens Drew and Heather Pagilia, to help first responds $5 at a time. Since then it has grown into an all teen ran non-profit volunteer group. I founded the 5HelpFresno chapter in January of 2021. We are the first chapter ever of 5Help national. Since we were founded, we have raised over $2,500 for many organizations here in Fresno County. On top of that, as a team we have accumulated over 500+ hours in community service hours right here in Fresno County. We strive to make an impact here as young individuals to help Fresno County in any way possible/needed.

How’d you meet your business partner?

During my Freshman year, we were still in Covid lockdown. All my classes were online. I had this english teacher who was very into community service. She knew that I was also very passionate about community service and got me into contact with the Pagilia family. For a few months I was in contact with them through social media, text messaging, and zoom across the country. By January of 2021 I was asked my Drew and Heather if I’d like to start the first ever chapter of 5help. Without hesitation, I took on the challenge and responsibility.

Have you ever had to pivot?

With growing comes times where it’s hard to grow. For the first 6 months of starting 5HelpFresno, I struggled hard to find people who wanted to join and actually want to join. I found myself having to deal with people who wanted to join to say they were part of it to put down on resumes, and people that took advantage of the opportunity of being part of such an amazing organization. As someone who struggles to speak up, I finally had to. I couldn’t take it anymore, and it was becoming unfair to me and the other hard working individuals here on our team. Though hard, I will always be proud of myself for making that change. It has helped us grow in so many ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://5help.networkforgood.com/projects/185896-help-5helpfresno-s-community-s-efforts-5-at-a-time?fbclid=PAAaY_cIbFMFyYqPrKSTuflDs9KtqL9iEfbAyOYsqXYwBjXGXyFYbtuyeRQk4_aem_AbS6NDCB2Gsy5Hp658HxHJo9pRfSSHynrIe9vU_dZxBgWl38BmWMEJSU8PDoOcGuFAY
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5help.org.fresno?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5Help.org?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://linktr.ee/5HelpFresno?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaajBAZidJZ2X-ogUJ4esfcniYqbGYV-p-s8FhtuYJ9Hmd8xJD34RBA371Y_aem_wKtkLKxDJP-odoBPC-A7bg