Watch Miguel's video

Overview

I need a computer and the appropriate software to take online college classes in order to get a degree in construction management.

My goal is to start my career in construction management, with a goal of designing and building low-income housing. Meeting this need will help me because having a computer will allow me to attend my online classes. I will be able to learn, achieve good grades, and complete a degree in construction management. This in turn will give me the opportunity to be able to return to the labor market with a better education and more to offer. My goal is to be able to reenter the workforce and to put the learned knowledge I have back into the community that has supported me so much. I want to be able to go back to working in the field of designing and building homes for low income people.

I need a career as I have no job and no income at this time, despite my prior experience. To be able to go back to working in a field of designing and building homes for low income people would be the crown of my desire. I have the motivation and I know that with the right resources one day I will be able to achieve this goal.

I am rebuilding my life from scratch. Growing up in Nicaragua I always knew I wanted to help further the opportunities of the people and the country that I loved. Unfortunately, due to political unrest and severe persecution my family and I were forced to leave the country and flee to the Untied States. Upon gaining my citizenship and graduating from my schooling I worked in the real estate industry for some years. It was during this time that I realized how important sustainable housing was for individuals’ success and well-being in life, and I felt it was important for me to give back. I decided to return to my home country of Nicaragua to build low-income housing.

However, I was once again persecuted, imprisoned and torured for many months because of my efforts, losing everything I owned. After my release and return to the United States it has been hard. Having lost everything during my capture I am faced with rebuilding my life. I have persevered though and I am blessed to have great people in my life who have helped me. I want to be able to continue on with my dream of helping others and receive a degree in construction management.

I think of myself mostly as a survivor. I am a survivor of torture currently living in the United States. I'm most proud of my perserverance and the achievements I have made.

I have been through many joyful events as well as many hardships in my lifetime. However, despite all the horrors I endured, I have decided to focus on the good I have in my life. I take hope knowing that my life will once again be fulfilling and that there are people in this world who do care for me. I am grateful for all the help that I have received so far in this rebuilding process and I thank each of you for helping me reach my goals. I long to be able to give back to others like others have given to me and I feel that with this need being fulfilled I will most certainly be able to do so!

I am currently unemployed but I've worked at jobs in the Real Estate industry and have helped to create the design of as well as plan the construction of low-income housing projects.

Right now, my biggest challenge is that I am rebuilding my life from scratch after surviving torture. Growing up in Nicaragua I always knew I wanted to help further the opportunities of the people and the country that I loved. Unfortunately, due to political unrest and severe persecution my family and I were forced to leave the country and flee to the Untied States. Upon gaining my citizenship and graduating from my schooling I worked in the real estate industry for some years. During this time I felt it was important for me to give back and decided to return to my home country of Nicaragua to build low-income housing. However, I was once again persecuted and imprisoned for many months because of my efforts, losing everything I owned. After my release and return to the United States it has been hard to rebuild my life to where it once was. I want to be able to go back to school and further my education while still taking care of myself both physically and mentally.

Something interesting about me is that I am very interested in technology. I love working with my hands and fixing items for my friends and family, such as computers.

Watch Patricia's video

Validated

Validated by Patricia from Survivors of Torture, International (What does this mean?)

I have known Miguel for a few months now and have been providing mental health and case management services since that time.

I think meeting this need is important because Miguel has overcome many barriers and yet still continues to strive to meet his goals. Despite the unimaginable horrors brought against him and his family as a young boy, this man persevered and was committed to helping others. In pursuit of his dream of building low income housing for individuals of the country he had left behind, Miguel was once again faced with unimaginable horrors. Yet he has overcome these barriers and now looks to further his education in order to once again become a contributing member of society. He is extremely deserving of any and all assistance in reaching his goals of completing his degree and helping to design housing for those who need it most.

This will move Miguel's life forward by helping him to navigate the US educational system and complete his college courses, which are primarily online. He will be able to complete his degree, reach his desired career goals of helping design low income housing for individuals in need, and essentially rebuild the life that was stripped away from him during his capture and subsequent torture.

Throughout unimaginable difficulties and struggles in his life, Miguel has remained steadfast with his commitment to serving others in need. Miguel is an incredibly deserving and committed self educator, who has never lost sight of his educational goal. It will benefit San Diego in the future to have a culturally competent individual who has as much passion as Miguel does. He will be able to use his talents to better serve others and promote equal opportunity for all people through the design of affordable, sustainable housing.

About Patricia

My job title is Senior Mental Health Clinician. I have been in this position since July 2009. My work involves conducting eligibility screenings and initial intakes for new clients as well as coordinating all of their follow up care. I also organize group activities and oversee our services for… Read more