Who do you call family?

I grew up in a large family of mixed European descent. My mother is Barabara Ann Minkoff and my father is Jeffrey Richard Yerke. My parents blessed me with 6 amazing siblings: Dani, Derek, James, Ben, Sam, and Jackie. In turn, my siblings have gifted me many sweet nieces and nephews: Jacy, Lauren, Maddux, Jude, Nolan, Sawyer, Lily, and Luca.

• To make a big family bigger, I also have many dear aunts, uncles, and cousins. Alongside the many, my Aunt Gayle and Uncle Doug have been a continual source of love, support, and encouragement.

• After the passing of my father, a few neighborhood families took special care to look out for me during childhood. They were important extensions of my family during those challenging years. The following families helped to shape some of the most joyful and connected moments of my childhood: the Donohoes, Pattersons, Purcells, Orsers, Baylors, VanCleves, and many more.

• I’ve also grown family in my 32 years of life. During my travels, I’ve grown a deep care for many of my hosts. To my Italian mother, Mamma Carla: sei stato un enorme supporto per me e ti penso quando ho bisogno di trovare la forza dentro di me. And to my Paraguayan family: Los extraño a todos infinitamente. Mi vida ha sido bendecida para siempre por el tiempo que pasé con todos ustedes.