California Teacher, 77, Living in His Car Is Given $27,000 by a Former Student

A former substitute teacher who lived in his car in a California city has been given a $27,000 check after an ex-student organized a fundraiser online.

Veteran substitute teacher Jose Villarruel, from Fontana, had worked across a number of schools for decades, but after COVID-19 forced learning to move online last year "Mr.V" decided it was time to leave the profession.

After resigning, his pension check could not cover outstanding debts forcing the dedicated former teacher to live out of his car.

Villarruel told Fox11: "I decided the school situation has changed completely and I believed that a job of a substitute was over. In May, I submitted my resignation. I managed to do all of the paperwork, all of the arrangements to get my pension.

"I got my check, but that check didn't last long because I had debts already."

On his experience living in the car, he added: "My body has been adapted to all of the bumps and things from the seat. It serves me as transportation, serves as a dining room, and serves as a bedroom."

Villarruel's former student, Steven Nava, encountered him last week as he sat in the car and decided to set-up a fundraiser.

He told the network: "I usually see him almost every single day and it got me thinking, 'I've got to talk to him and know his situation.'

"I was just devastated and gutted for the reality of the pandemic and how it has left teachers without a job and this is one of the results and it's sad to see one of your own teachers go through that so it only makes you want to help out more."

After initially handing Villarruel $300, Nava started a GoFundMe page in order to help the ex-teacher. As of Friday morning, donations to Villarruel had reached $27,480.

An explainer on the fundraiser said: "Mr. V was a great funny and helpful educator and substitute teacher in the Fontana Unified School District. He's struggled with getting back on his feet after the pandemic hit and has been living in his car ever since despite the brutal weather and living conditions.

"This fundraiser is to help him out financially and getting back to normal life. Any help is appreciated, thank you god bless."

In a TikTok video posted to Steven Nava's account on Wednesday, Mr. Villarruel said he was now staying in a hotel and that tomorrow it would be his birthday. The following day former students gathered to sing happy birthday to their former teacher before Nava handed Mr. Villarruel a check for $27,000.

After being given the check, Mr. Villarreul said he could not believe what had happened.

"My initial thought was, 'Am I dreaming?' I still can't get over this experience," He told Fox11.

"The greatest feeling that I have right now is like an obligation that I need to do a lot for the world and the greatest feeling is I can do it and I'm going to find a way to do it."

Newsweek has contacted Nava for comment.