This article was a winner of Lookout’s 2025 Journalism Scholarship Challenge, which invited high school students to highlight an unsung hero in their life. Learn more and find all of the winners here.
When it comes to heroes, not all of them wear capes – some walk among us unnoticed, quietly shaping the world with their courage and kindness. Across the globe, homelessness is a major issue, with people not knowing where they will be able to safely sleep along with staying warm during the night. While some people are aware of the issue, it is not talked about enough throughout the community, and those who are aware of the issue do not know what to do to help or where to start.
Huyana Garcia serves our community every day, trying to help fight to end the homelessness crisis for individuals and families alike. She is more than just an advocate to end homelessness one step at a time but also a mother, a friend and a smiling, helpful face in the community. A lot of people don’t quite understand what she does for work despite it helping change people’s lives for the better every day. Huyana Garcia works for a nonprofit organization called Families In Transition.
Huyana works as a case manager. That means that it’s her job to meet with different families and individuals who are struggling with housing insecurity due to many reasons, such as not having enough income to pay for utilities along with bills, lost jobs or other stressful personal situations.
Growing up, Huyana and her family struggled financially. “Growing up, my family lived in government housing for low-income families,” she said. “We received help from our community, and as a result, my parents were able to increase their income and eventually move into a house of their own. As a child, I saw firsthand how valuable assistance programs are and wanted to give back to the community.”
All heroes have a story to tell that made them the heroes they are today, and if Huyana had not grown up in low-income housing experiencing firsthand how stressful and impactful it is to one’s life, she likely would not be the hero she is today. Part of Huyana helping those in need is making sure they have their own unique needs met and not just treating everyone’s situation the same but taking the time to understand every family’s and individual’s needs to help them do their best and succeed on their path to being financially secure.
“I meet with program participants regularly to create individualized case plans based on their specific needs,” she said. “What might suit one family might not be good for another. That’s why it’s important to hear people out and focus on where they are at and where they want to be.”
Others Huyana works with agree she is one of the best people for this line of work and that she has a special gift when it comes to helping others and making sure they feel seen and heard. “It’s been my personal experience that her approach to working with others is both inspiring and motivating,” Cristian Magana said of Huyana. “She brings a sense of purpose and dedication to our team, always willing to go the extra mile to support clients and colleagues alike.”
With any job comes difficulties; Huyana never lets that stop her from doing her best effort on the job and in the community. She believes that it’s important to share about what is happening with the homelessness crisis and how important it is for everyone to lend a hand if people want to put an end to homelessness for good.
“I am a firm believer that it takes a village. Advocating for my clients includes educating others on how beneficial these services are,” she said. “This means speaking to potential landlords and explaining how assistance programs can be beneficial not only to participants but to them as well. In addition, I also regularly attend community outreach events and conferences to help spread the word about who we are and what we do.” Though Huyana’s job is stressful, she is always looking out for those who need help and making sure that they receive it. But her kindness is not just confined to when she is on the clock.
“Beyond her professional expertise, she has a kind and approachable nature that makes collaboration easy and enjoyable,” said Cristian Magana. “She sets a high standard for what it means to be an advocate and a case manager making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many people.”
Huyana is a wonderful person with a kind soul and heart who is always doing her best for others and those closest to her. Always making sure everyone feels seen. She’s a wonderful friend, always making sure that others are doing OK and that they are thriving. She is such a supportive and loving mother, always making sure her kids have everything they need and then some. She always tries her best, and even if she falls down, she is always able to get back up and try again. She is so fearless and strong. While she may not have traditional superpowers, a true hero is someone who stands up for what is right and sticks to their morals and beliefs and makes sure to help out the community around them. And when they fall, they don’t give up but keep on fighting which is why Huyana Rose Garcia is a true Unsung Hero.
