When we met Sean Hughes in Delray Beach, he was hard at work replacing the decking on a dock — a job that represents just how much his life has changed in a year. 

“This is great. I’m actually a productive member of society,” Hughes told NBC6.  

In June 2025, Hughes was not earning money. He was cited by a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy for panhandling in Pompano Beach. 

It was not Hughes’s first run-in with the law over the years. 

“I’m just going to tell you how many times I’ve been arrested: 11 times in my 26 years of life. Not something to be proud of,” he said.  

Hughes told us he was homeless for six years – his addiction to drugs had taken over. 

“It was awful. Fentanyl and crack. Just living like an animal out there. I could have been dead. There was times I should have been dead,” he said. 

Thankfully, his story did not end on the streets. But it was a key connection he made there that began the 26-year-old’s process of turning his life around. 

Hughes met Victor Oliveira, known online as Victor “The Good Boss.” 

Oliveira has grown a massive social media following for his efforts to get people experiencing homelessness and addiction off the streets. 

“I love helping people, and I’m addicted to it,” Oliveira told us. 

He said he went looking for Hughes after seeing a video of him online – and found him.    

“This is my phone number. What I’ll do is I’ll put you in treatment, get you clean,” Oliveira said to Hughes in an Instagram video from July 2025.

“His situation was very bad, very skinny. He was in a really bad spot. I’m just so grateful that I was there at the time and he took me up on my opportunity,” Oliveira said. 

Oliveira took him to get food and new clothes before bringing him to a detox facility. 

In September 2025, Hughes successfully completed community court, a jail diversion program in Pompano Beach. 

That meant the panhandling charge from more than a year earlier was dismissed. 

Last month, Hughes said he marked one year sober and counting. 

“Victor The Good Boss. He saved my life, dude,” Hughes said.

“It’s making my eyes water. I give him so much credit. I’m so proud of him,” Oliveira said. 

Hughes’ boss, Tom Hebert, is proud too. 

“I love the guy. He’s becoming family. He’s doing awesome. I mean the basics of just the job are getting here on time and being motivated to work, and he’s got that naturally,” Hebert said. 

Two weeks after our first visit, NBC6 returned to the dock. 

Even with the intense heat, Hughes and Hebert continued their work on the construction project.  

And for Hughes, the progress he’s making is also personal: “Just one day at a time. That’s all I’m doing. I’m so grateful to still be here. I really am.”