From Medical Student to Homeless because of Politics

Hello, my name is Jeriah Juergens. I have been attending Job Corps for over a year to pursue my education. I am infinitely grateful the program has offered me many opportunities to get my education back on track.

I began working at the age of 17. When I was 16, my mother suffered a stroke that impaired her cognitive functions and caused alterations to her personality. This unfortunate event left her susceptible to the influence of others, and the man she was dating at the time eventually pressured her into kicking out her children without any warning, ending my ability to pursue high school. I went on to pick up two jobs and, with the tentative support of some distant relatives, barely managed to get my life together enough to stumble through life. I worked two, sometimes three jobs to make ends meet and stay off the streets. I never had the hope of finishing my high school education, let alone obtaining education of a higher degree than that. I bounced from place to place, paying whatever price others demanded of me because it was the only way to survive.

I eventually ended up in California, and after a tumultuous series of events that left me without any other paths to pursue, I discovered Job Corps—an event I wish had happened so much sooner in my life. When I heard I could get my diploma and pursue a career fulfilling the only passion I had in life, that is to say, helping others, I jumped at the opportunity. Over the course of my education, I have gotten my HiSET, my diploma, PCT, and my driver's license.

Unfortunately, I have received the unfortunate announcement that Job Corps will be halting its program. I knew this could happen, so I've been attempting to find a job I could do during non-training hours, but the time constraints have made that difficult. Nonetheless, I supposed that even if the worst were to come to pass, I would be close enough to my goal that any time allotted to us would be enough to finish my certification and secure my future. I was not correct in the assumption, as I had assumed any time would be given to us and none was. Four chapters away from being ready to study for the NHA CCMA, I have been told that all education programs have ceased and the housing facilities would close imminently.

This wonderful opportunity slipped through my fingers because yet again someone else has made a decision about my life and my value as a person. Now, with Trump's bill being passed, all Job Corps across America are being shut down imminently, and I find myself without any options and without any time to try to prepare. So I'm turning here to GoFundMe in the desperate hope that I can raise enough to secure first and last month's rent for a place so I can get a job, or likely two yet again, so I can try and ride out this period of uncertainty and hope for a miracle so I can finish off my education and pursue my ultimate goal of joining the medical field and helping others.