Tough to stay positive amid personal struggles
Playing his guitar and singing helps Robert Ortiz take his mind off day-to-day challenges.
“I put in 10 years in the military and eight years in civilian service. If you had told me that one day I’d be homeless, I would have said that you’re full of crap. But after coming back here and having trouble finding steady work, I did end up on the street for a few years.
“That was when we were having a real cold spell back in 2011 and 2012. I remember one time it got down to 14 degrees. That was rough. Real rough. I would find places where activities were always going on, so people would leave stuff behind on benches, picnic tables and bleachers. If they didn’t come back to get it, I’d find shirts and other clothes lying around every now and then. And I managed to stay above water with food.
“Then I started working again, and I’ve been able to hold on to a few different jobs. But it’s kind of hard to make a five- or a 10- or a 20-year plan when I’m just trying to survive right now.
“Almost 70 percent of my salary is going to my son. I get it. He’s my son. I need to help take care of him. But it’s tough in Texas when you’re a non-custodial parent. I’ve been making payments. Since I went back to work in 2012, I’ve made every single month. And before I was homeless, when I had a job, I made all my payments. All my gaps were from when I didn’t have a job. I’m not some jerk who’s running around, trying to hide.
“And soon my son will be going to college. We got divorced in Hawaii, and it’s like Texas. If he goes to college, I pay child support until he’s 26. Which is fine. I love my son. I want to support him. But with all the money I’m paying in child support, I can’t save anything to fly him out here. That’s why I haven’t seen him in a couple years. He wants to come visit. I want to go up there. We can’t. It’s pretty frustrating.
“I mean, I’m just trying to survive. I’m just trying to stay above water. That’s my five-year goal, not to drown.”
— Robert Ortiz, 43
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