A Roof On a Shed and a Second Chance at Life

After being released from prison, Noel found his footing and a second chance at Mission College.  He's studying computer network technology with the goal of becoming a network analyst. He’s already earned several certifications, including in information health investigation, Cisco cybersecurity, and cloud computing. He has just one more class needed to earn his associate degree and he’ll be transferring to San Jose State University. 

“Mission has given me a chance to get and finish my education,” Noel says. “I’ve been surprised by the amount of help and resources the school offers. Not only does it make it easier for me to go back to school, but it also helps me get what I need for everyday life like food and other resources.” 

Noel lives in a storage shed next to a church in Sunnyvale, but this past winter’s rains made it obvious that his shed needed a new roof. The wood was chipping away and the roof was falling apart. He put a tarp over the roof as a temporary fix, but he still needed to rely on big bucket during rainstorms. A $600 grant from the Emergency Assistance Program is helping Noel get the supplies he needs to replace the roof on his shed.

Noel works on campus with the educational technology services department, and is an ambassador for the Basic Needs program. He's personally benefited from the groceries at Mission Market, along with other basic needs support, including money for gas and Wal-Mart gift cards for personal necessities. It was through his connection with basic needs support that he first learned about the emergency assistance funds.

 “Funds like this give chances for people in need to meet their daily needs,” Noel says. “You don’t always know people’s situation and what happened to them, but sometimes you just need some extra money to survive, especially here in the Bay Area.”