In a heartbreaking story from Clear Lake, Texas, a man named Victor Hubbard spent three years standing on the same street corner, waiting for a mother who had promised to return but never came. Victor, who struggled with mental health issues, was abandoned by his mother as a young adult, and he waited in vain at that corner, unable to move forward with his life.
But Ginger Jones Sprouse, a local woman who noticed him repeatedly standing there, decided to learn more about his story — and what she uncovered led to a beautiful act of kindness.
The Start of a Friendship and Compassionate Action
Victor was not just another homeless person; he was a gentle soul trapped by his mental health challenges. Sprouse, who passed by Victor’s corner multiple times a day on her way to work, eventually decided to step in. She discovered that his mother had dropped him off at the spot, telling him to wait for her return. She never came back, and Victor remained there, confused and alone.
Sprouse began documenting his story on a GoFundMe page, sharing that he was mentally ill and had fallen through the cracks. “He stands and looks, taps the pole, squints, dances, waves and sometimes just stares,” she wrote, showing the sadness of his situation. “He is a sweet, gentle man who happens to be mentally ill,” she added.
A Community Comes Together for Victor
Sprouse didn’t just stop with her initial act of kindness. She raised over $35,000 for Victor, getting him the mental health care he so desperately needed. She also took him off the streets, providing him with a safe place to stay during cold winters.
The local community, along with Sprouse, rallied together to get him stability.
As part of the efforts, Victor began to receive regular mental health care and medication. He even started working in the kitchen at Sprouse’s business, Art of the Meal. Things were looking up for Victor, and he was able to start seeing his family, including his mother, after years of estrangement.
The Journey of Healing and Gratitude
By January 2017, Victor was officially off the streets, spending less time on the corner and actively participating in treatment. “I’m really thrilled that things are progressing,” Sprouse shared in an update. Victor expressed his gratitude for Sprouse’s life-changing help, saying, “She came around and she kind of saved me. It’s like grace.”
Victor’s journey of healing continued with Sprouse’s unwavering support, and his family members, including his uncle, helped him reconnect with his mother. Victor described the moment, “I got to talk to her and I really feel like I accomplished something.”