“Being homeless and going to school with no ID was the most challenging thing,” says Arizona Voter

After experiencing housing insecurity while studying at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, Jarell Blake was determined to get the ID he needed to secure stable housing, become a registered nurse, and participate in democracy.

BY ERIN CARDEN, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, VOTERIDERS — AUGUST 29, 2024

Jarell didn’t know when things would get easier, but he knew it started with getting a new ID — he hadn’t had one in forty years.

At fifty-four years old, Jarell Blake was living on the streets of Tucson, Arizona for the past two years while attending the University of Arizona College of Nursing. Although he wanted to stay in a shelter, he was told this wouldn’t be possible without an ID. 

Jarell couldn’t get a new identification because he didn’t have a valid birth certificate. His original copy was severely damaged from years of wear and tear and was no longer legible. He did attempt to secure a new copy years ago, but soon after he was able to get one, his bag was stolen — and the new copy of his birth certificate with it. 

This time around, the fee for a new birth certificate copy was something Jarell couldn’t even consider. One person told him he could have a family member attest to who he was and where he was born, but without any family nearby, that wasn’t a feasible option.

With no solution in sight, Jarell had to figure out how to push through. The answer was school. For the next two years, he remained houseless and unemployed, dedicating all of his time and energy to completing his degree. 

“Being homeless and going to school with no ID was the most challenging thing,” Jarell explained.

But he was determined and Jarell managed to complete his degree at the University of Arizona College of Nursing. With this major milestone under his belt, he now had the opportunity to enroll in a training program that would certify him as a registered nurse. But without an ID, Jarell was told there would be no way for him to enroll. He felt like he was back to square one. With no ID, he had no way to secure a job or stable shelter. He had no way to move forward. 

Jarell was close to losing all hope when he stumbled upon a job fair at Pima County Workforce Development where he learned about VoteRiders. A Homeless Resource Navigator for Pima County Workforce Development introduced Jarell to VoteRiders’ Arizona Organizer, Valerie. Jarell explained to Valerie that time was running out. If he didn’t submit proof of his identification within a few days, he was going to miss the nursing training program’s enrollment deadline. 

So, Valerie hit the ground running. 

First, she arranged free transportation to take Jarell to the Social Security Office where she, with the support of VoteRiders covered the cost of a new birth certificate copy and Social Security card. Then, Valerie scheduled an appointment for Jarell at his local DMV and made sure he got a free ride to get there. Valerie met Jarell at the DMV office and walked him through the various paperwork he was required to sign. Within that very same day, Jarell was handed a paper copy of his brand-new Arizona state ID. While he would have to wait a few days for his official identification to arrive in the mail, this paper copy was sufficient for enrolling in the nursing training program. He could also seek safety at a shelter and apply for stable housing. 

“Thank God for VoteRiders,” said Jarell. “I am now a registered nurse coming off the streets. Now I’m going to try to pursue my PhD in Medical Science and become a doctor. VoteRiders is great. I pray that someday I can be a part of what you do.” 

Jarell can also use his new Arizona ID to vote in the General Election on November 5th. “My vote counts,” Jarell exclaimed. “I have a say to make a difference, to pick a politician who governs on me and my family’s behalf.” 

If you or someone you know is looking for ID information or assistance, visit our website to learn how we can help.