When Steven Nava of Southern California realized the homeless man he had seen on several occasions living out of his car was actually his former substitute teacher from high school, he immediately jumped into action to help take care of the gentleman. Speaking to NBC LOS ANGELES, Nava says:

“During the last few weeks, I noticed an older man sitting in a vehicle in a parking lot near my house. I noticed that he had all of his belongings in his car, and that’s when I realized he was homeless.”

Further investigation revealed that the man was José Villaruel–“Mr. V” to his students–a man who substitute taught during Nava’s time as a high school student in the Fontana Unified School District.

He learned that after schools went virtual during the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. V had lost his job and was living solely off of a meager social security check, most of which he sent back home to Mexico to support his wife.

Villaruel had been living out of his car for the past 8 years in order to reduce his living expenses so he could send as much of his income as possible to his family back home in Mexico. Speaking to KCBS, Villaruel explains:

“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.”

Determined to invest back into the life that had invested in him, he set up a GoFundMe in hopes of raising much needed funds to help the educator.

“I had a mission to help the teacher who was going through a difficult time during the pandemic.”

TWITTER FRIENDS PLEASE HELP! every morning/ night I’ve always noticed this older man that would stay out in his car constantly at this parking lot near my house even when the weather was bad. He looked familiar and I’m sure alot of y’all have had him as a substitute in Fontana… pic.twitter.com/3hFpIAOMCO

— Steven Nava (@stevennava_) March 6, 2021

After Nava posted Mr. V’s story on his social media accounts, word spread throughout the community and former students came forward in droves to offer support for the now 77-year-old man. On the GoFundMe, Nava wrote:

“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 (to get him) back to normal life.”

The goal set by Steven Nava was to raise $5,000, but that goal was shattered in a matter of days and a grand total of $27,000 was raised for the hardworking teacher.

On Thursday, March 11, a special celebration was thrown in Mr. V’s honor, where he was surprised with the check from the fundraiser. Coincidentally, March 11 was also his 77th birthday, making it an especially memorable event.

“I’m still trying to digest the entire experience,” Villarruel told KCBS. “It’s extraordinary, totally unexpected. It is an experience of my life that will be kept for the rest of my life. I carry it in my heart,” Villaruel said. “I felt that something was going to happen, that things were going to change, and it happened suddenly when I least expected it.”