NEVER GIVING UP ON HER DREAM OF BECOMING A NURSE! -

MEET JAYLA!

My name is Bobbie Jo Harr. I have been a court reporter for 40 years. I am retired from the County of Monterey. Sometimes you meet someone who is deserving of a helping hand and a break.

I'd like you to meet Jayla! I met Jayla when she was 16 when I lived in Stockton, CA. We were neighbors. Jayla stepped up as a young teen in ways many would not. She stepped up to care for her ailing mother and sister, putting her career goals on hold.

Years have passed and Jayla is now 27. Jayla contacted me that she wanted to start the nursing program at Hartnell College in Salinas and asked if I could I help her find housing. Miracles of miracles, I found a place .2 miles from my house! The husband and wife couple that rented her a room are amazing. Cheryl and John have taken Jayla under their wing. Cheryl has her doctorate in nursing! So Jayla is surrounded by positive mentors, and our goal is to see that in two years Jayla reaches her life-long goal to become an RN!

Jayla quickly got a job here in Monterey at an assisted care facility. School starts in January. After talking to Jayla, I discovered that she will have to work 40 hours a week in order to pay her bills! PLUS go to school full time! I know that's nearly impossible!

Jayla has a car payment with a balance owing $5500. If we can get her car paid off, she could cut her work hours down and concentrate on her schooling. I can't think of anyone who deserves a helping hand more than Jayla. Please read her story below in her own words. If you'd like to help Jayla and donate towards paying off her car, it would be such a blessing to her! We will provide proof that all monies collected go towards her car payment. If any money is left over, we will use it for her school costs. Any donation is appreciated. Let’s make her dream come true!

PLEASE READ JAYLA'S STORY BELOW:

Hi everyone! My name is Jayla, and I am 27 years old. Caring for my mom and sister has been the biggest part of my life. I’ve helped raise my sister her entire life—guiding her through school, supporting her every step, and making sure she always had someone to lean on. She has health issues, and I supported her every way I could. During that same time, my mom was fighting cancer, and I stepped into the role of caregiver for her as well. I didn't think twice. That is what love is all about.

But between helping my family survive and keeping our household afloat, I never had much time or stability to focus on my own career path—but I never stopped trying or dreaming.

I moved to Tennessee to finish nursing school, determined to build a future where I could continue helping others. Then COVID happened. My mom was high-risk, and I couldn’t take the chance of being states away or stuck without a way home, so I returned and had to pause school again.

A couple of years later, I tried once more. I made it almost through the entire LVN program, but I couldn’t afford the very last month of tuition. After everything I worked for, I had to drop out right at the finish line, and it broke me—but it didn’t stop me.

About two months ago, I moved to Monterey with hope in my heart. I came here determined to start fresh, focus on myself for the first time in a long time, and finally succeed at finishing my degree. I want to build a future where I can continue giving care to others the way I’ve devoted my life to doing.

I’ve worked in the medical field for over seven years—caregiver, med tech, in-home and facility care, rehabilitation, memory care—anything that involves supporting those who need it most. My passion has always been caring for the elderly and vulnerable. It’s who I am at my core. I’m not in this career for a paycheck; I’m in it because I believe in compassion, dignity, and human connection.

What I’m asking for now is support to pay off my car so I can focus on my schooling and finally finish nursing school and become the nurse I know I’m meant to be. Every donation, no matter how small, gets me one step closer to turning this dream into reality.

Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for believing in me. ❤️

Even if you can’t donate, sharing my page means everything.

Jayla...