GoFundMe donors raised over $8,300 (as of this writing) for a 17-year-old homeless kid who broke down crying in a viral video. Rafael Rogers, a.k.a. EJayChosen, told viewers that he was homeless and he didn’t get along with his mother.
In the video, reposted on X by Rain Drops Media, the aspiring rapper said, “I don’t know if I wanna cry or laugh right now… Ain’t nobody trying to help me, bro. I’m out here alone. I ain’t even had no time to think about what’s going on in my life. I just gotta stay on the move, bro.”
Rafael said he had to figure out where to lay his head and how to get food to eat.
He said his family wouldn’t take him in and he has no money. Rafael said he just got his job back. “Why do I have to be born into this sh*t?” he asked. “I’m alone, folk.”
Social media users responded by donating money to his GoFundMe and Cash App. They didn’t notice that Rafael was “crying” but no tears fell.
Instead of posting a photo of himself on the GoFundMe page, he posted an image of a rap group. He later added his own photo.
17-year-old kid breaks down in tears, saying he has no one in his life, nowhere to go, no family, no friends, and nobody. He’s been homeless for a week. ????
pic.twitter.com/COqc7A9iRh— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) June 19, 2025
Some people refused to donate because they suspect that Rafael is a problem child who was either kicked out of his home or ran away because he didn’t want to follow the rules.
Some men on X suggested he cut his dreadlocks and go to the nearest Army recruiting office.
One person wrote: “If someone can get in touch with this young man, please help him get in touch with an U.S Army recruiter. He looks physically fit and smart enough to pass the ASVAB. They’ll take care of you. Once you finish your contract, follow your dreams.”
Another person wrote: “Cut your hair and go sell cars, you’ll see a big difference. If you want to play that game of, i shouldn’t have to cut my hair game, dont waste my time. We are all judged on our appearance. Sad but true. Wishing you the best young man.”
A third person added: “You mean he ran away… cuz there’s no way he’s been with no family or nothing for so long. I’m a parent, & this is giving he mad & don’t want to live by somebody’s rules so he decides to leave on his own at 17… I’ve been there. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have family.”
In a follow-up video, Rafael thanked viewers for all the donations and the emotional support. He said he is not going to contact his mother because she put him in the situation he was in.
“Of course I love my mom to death,” he said, “she chose, this not me.”
Rafael added that he is living with a cousin until he gets back on his feet.
He made an update video a day later pic.twitter.com/bDJoYt6MMi
— LASHY BILLS (@LASHYBILLS) June 19, 2025
