Former Student Starts GoFundMe for Substitute Teacher Living In His Car

Like many others around the country, Jose Villarruel has been struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic.  The 77 year old substitute teacher from Southern California saw his hours cut as schools around the country closed their doors to slow the spread of the virus starting in early 2020.  When a former student, Steven Nava, 21, saw his former teacher in the parking lot of a senior center earlier in the month getting things out of his trunk, he gave him $300 and helped him find a hotel to stay for the night. 

Nava said it took him a few days to work up the courage Villarruel after first seeing him but he insisted on giving his former teacher the money he had on him and it was Villarruel’s reaction that made him want to do more.  “He gave me this big old smile and said, ‘Thank you so much” and as he was hugging me, I saw a little tear run down his face.  Nava promised he’d help to get him out of his current situation.

Nava said ““He really stuck to me just because of the way he was so nice around his students,.  He’d ask how your day would go, did you eat, just small little details like that. He’d be really, really funny when he took attendance.”  Nava started a GoFundMe campaign for his former substitute teacher and thanks to a popular TikTok video Nava made, which had been viewed 1.7 million times, he was able to keep his promise. 

In just six days, the campaign raised $27,000.  Nava wrote on the GoFundMe page “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.”

On March 11^th, also Villarruel’s 77^th birthday, Nava presented Villarruel with the $27,000 check generated from the donations.   “From the bottom of my heart, I just had to resort to all of my self-control not to become sentimental about the whole thing and not to become nervous.  It was extremely exciting, totally unexpected and great” Villarruel said. 

In an emotional moment shared to TikTok, Nava presented Villarruel with the lifechanging check. Later, the two shared a hug. “My initial thought was, ‘Am I dreaming?’ I still can’t get over this experience,” Villarruel said of the surprise. And now, he plans to pay it forward.  “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,” he said.

Villarruel made the decision 8 years ago to live in his car because he was sending most of his income to his wife, children and extended family in Mexico, he said.  .  “I couldn’t possibly support my family and extended family in Mexico and rent an apartment here at the same time with the income that I can have.” Villarruel said.  Villarruel, who was affectionately known as “Mr. V” by his students, resigned from teaching last spring after the district shifted to virtual learning.  The necessary change made his situation worse as he used his pension to pay debt and survive during the pandemic. 

Nava ended the original GoFundMe campaign but there were still people who wanted to help so he started a new one to “Keep Mr. V Moving Forward” and has raised $25,000 of the $30,000 goal so far.  Thankfully-this chance encounter with a former student is bringing better days ahead for Mr.V.