California: 77-Year-Old Former Substitute Teacher Living in His Car

What kind of society allows 77-year-old men to live in their cars?

What even is this?

This doesn’t happen in the third world.

Fox 11:

A former substitute teacher who was living in his car was gifted with a $27,000 check by a former student.

Jose Villarruel, lovingly known as “Mr. V” by his students, turned 77 years old on Thursday. His former student, Steven Nava, now 21, decided to arrange a celebration for Villarruel.

Villarruel has served as a substitute teacher for decades.

“I feel very lucky and very honored that I have taught in different institutions of different levels,” he said.

In early 2020, Villarruel said he resigned after schools shifted to distance learning.

“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,” he said.

Villarruel has been living out of his car ever since.

“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,” he said.

His former student, Steven Nava, came across Villarruel one week ago in his car and recognized him.

“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,” he said.

Nava said he remembers Villarruel helping him during his school years.

“I said to him you helped me work on my study guide and you helped me eventually pass a math test,” he said.

We’re talking about all of these spooks – racism, sexism, the coronavirus, global warming, cow farts – and real flesh and blood old men are living in their cars?

Where is all the money?

You know how it works, right? The substitutes are not part of the union.