After Her Son's Tragic Death, Mom Wanted to Thank His Friends for Their Support. She Went Viral Asking for Help (Exclusive)

• From the moment Erika Hernandez’s late son, Jovan, discovered Spider-Man, it became a defining part of who he was
• Since Jovan's tragic death on Sept. 2, 2023, when he became a victim of gun violence during a robbery, Hernandez always hoped to take her other son and Jovan’s friends — whom she lovingly refers to as her "bonus kids" — to Universal Studios
• Recently, she shared her dream on TikTok and the video went viral, amassing more than 3.1 million views and 54,000 comments, with strangers and brands offering to help

From the moment Erika Hernandez’s late son, Jovan, discovered Spider-Man, it became a defining part of who he was. So, since Jovan's tragic death on Sept. 2, 2023, when he became a victim of gun violence during a robbery, Hernandez has hoped to take her other son and Jovan’s friends — whom she lovingly refers to as her "bonus kids" — to Universal Studios.

For Hernandez, 44, taking these young men, who range in age from 20 to 23, to the theme park is a way to show her gratitude — not just for their friendship with Jovan, but also for their unwavering support after his death.

"They all come from different backgrounds, but they’re truly wonderful kids," the mom tells PEOPLE exclusively. "Before Jovan became friends with them, they didn’t know each other — they weren’t in the same school, neighborhood, or social circles. Jovan was the one who brought them together and kept them close. After he passed, I honestly feared they might grow apart, but to my surprise, they've grown even closer. They're not just friends — they’re brothers."

"The way they light up when they see each other is so genuine, and it’s been such a vital part of my healing journey," she adds. "Each one of them carries a piece of Jovan, and when they’re together, we can truly feel his spirit with us, helping to heal the emptiness left behind."

Unfortunately for the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., local, taking a group of eight or nine people to the theme park hasn’t been financially feasible. She's wanted to make sure she can cover every expense — tickets, meals and beyond — so that all the young men can have the experience they truly deserved. While Hernandez is the type to believe that "where there’s a will, there’s a way," she also remains grounded in reality.

But, with what would have been Jovan's 20th birthday approaching on May 12, she knew this was the perfect opportunity to try to turn her dream into reality. Last week, she woke up and decided to take a chance by posting about her dream on TikTok, blocking all of her bonus kids from her account so they wouldn’t see or learn about her plan.

Before posting, she hesitated, because she never wanted anyone to think she was asking for money to make her dream happen, especially when so many people are struggling financially right now.

"But during my lunch break, that feeling — what I now know was Jovan — got even louder," she says. "This time, it was saying, ‘What do you have to lose?’ So, with zero expectations, I posted the video ... and the rest is history."

Not long after posting, the TikTok video went viral, amassing more than 3.1 million views and 54,000 comments, with strangers and brands offering to help.

"DM us! We'd love to send some snacks for your trip. 💕," Instacart commented.

"The kids and YOU deserve an amazing experience. Check your DMs," Airbnb wrote.

"Our XL’s are ready and waiting to get all of you to the airport 🩷✨ Send us a DM!" Lyft chimed in.

"I was completely overwhelmed in the best way," the marketing manager tells PEOPLE. "I never expected anything to come from that post, so seeing so many strangers and even brands step in to help was incredible. It reminded me that there is still so much kindness in the world. Every comment, every offer, every word of support felt like a hug from Jovan, letting me know I did the right thing by putting my dream out to the world."

"I just want to thank the entire TikTok community for their incredible support, kind words, and the resilience they showed in helping bring the sponsors on board," she adds. "It’s a force to be reckoned with! I’m beyond grateful, and I hope all the time they spent watching, tagging, commenting and engaging with my videos comes back to them a million times in blessings."

Since going viral, and with the help of many companies coming together, Erika has planned the trip to Universal Studios for May 10 to 13. Recently, she took to TikTok again to share a list of all the donations and offers she was able to secure thanks to the viral support.

She’s also been able to tell her bonus family by unblocking them from her account. Even before sharing the news with them, she says she had already imagined their reactions — pure gratitude and excitement.

"They’re great kids who truly understand the value of love," she says.

"Jovan was the kind of person who brought people together, and even in his absence, he’s still doing that," she adds.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

While there are many things the mom is excited about for the trip, if she had to pick just one, it would be seeing all the boys escape their day-to-day and truly having the time of their lives, knowing Jovan is smiling down on them, she says. If he were still here, this is exactly the kind of birthday celebration he would have wanted.

"I plan to honor him in several ways — first and foremost, by making sure we get a group photo with Spider-Man. We’ll also have tribute shirts, and I have a few amazing surprises planned for the boys, thanks to some generous sponsors."

"My advice to anyone grieving is that it’s okay to feel lost, but there’s still so much life to be lived after loss," she adds. "Grief isn’t the end — it’s a journey with room for healing, growth and joy. Honor your loved one by continuing to live with purpose, finding light in the darkness and carrying their spirit forward in your own way."

"I’ve learned that honoring Jovan isn’t just about holding on to the sadness — it’s remembering him with love, laughing at the memories and still chasing the things that bring joy," she continues. "If I want Jovan’s legacy to continue, I have to keep moving forward in his honor. It’s okay to take your time, but remember to breathe and find joy again. Life is precious, and while the pain of loss stays with us, there’s still so much beauty ahead. By living fully, we keep their memory alive."