When Victor first connected with BACS in September 2020, he was sleeping in a park in Oakland, searching for a way out. He had been struggling with homelessness, isolation, and substance use, unsure where to turn. That same day, BACS placed him in a hotel, providing immediate stability and a glimmer of hope. From there, he was connected with a Housing Locator and moved into his first apartment, a major milestone in his journey. But challenges persisted—his struggles with alcohol abuse led to a serious health crisis, landing him in the hospital and causing him to lose his housing.

Victor recalls a pivotal moment when he realized he had to make a change: “I called 911 on myself. I was destroying my body from head to toe, isolating myself. I had to focus on not drinking and pulling myself out of this.” With BACS’ continued support, he got medical care, started working with a case manager, and received the attention and encouragement he needed to heal. He spent a year in a nursing home relearning how to walk, moving from a wheelchair to a walker, then to crutches, and today, he uses a cane for balance.

Through all of this, Victor remained focused on rebuilding his life. He learned to set boundaries, saying no to negativity and unhealthy lifestyle choices. He changed his diet, embracing vegan foods to support his recovery. He committed himself to setting and achieving goals—working to regain his driver’s license, building his small business selling art and books, and finding ways to stay positive and active.

Now, Victor lives in a studio apartment with a beautiful view, walking distance from the library, BART station, and local stores. He describes himself as a “TEN” on a scale of 1 to 10. “My energy is now focused on a brighter future,” and his next chapter includes growing his art business, attending fairs and festivals, and using his experiences to inspire others. He also dreams of helping shape future BACS programs, particularly those focused on addiction recovery, healthy living, and family reunification. His book, The Love You Lost, reflects on these themes, offering hope to others on similar journeys.