Looking for Work. Fighting the Stigma.

Victor was born and raised in Houston—but he made the move to Austin in search of something different. Not luxury. Not a shortcut. Just a shot at stability.

He hoped Austin would offer more opportunity. More dignity. More people willing to look beyond the surface.

“I don’t do drugs,” he told us. “I’m just trying to make a living.”

Victor’s story pushes back against the tired narrative that surrounds so many experiencing homelessness. For him, this isn’t a result of crime or addiction—it’s the consequence of an economy that keeps moving without room for everyone.

He’s a passionate UT football fan and roots for the Astros every season. “That’s one of the things that keeps me going,” he said, clutching the small bag of fruit we’d handed out earlier.

What Victor wants isn’t pity—it’s opportunity. A job. A place to stay. A reminder that effort still counts in a world that sometimes forgets the people working the hardest to hold on.

At projectUmbrella, we believe these stories matter—because dignity doesn’t require a home address.