Meet
Victor Rodriguez

STORY BY MAYA SANCHEZ

PHOTO BY RICARDO J. PARTIDA

Published Jun 2023

Victor Rodriguez is 72 years old and has been a devoted volunteer at the BDC for the past 5 years. 

Born in Ecuador, Victor arrived in New York in 1978 with his mother and two brothers andthey settled in the Bronx. Victor has never left the borough since then. He told us that despite the opportunities to explore beyond the Bronx, he appreciates the convenience of having access to various amenities, such as restaurants, delis, and street vendors, all within reach regardless of the time of day. Having spent his entire life in the Bronx, Victor has recently observed the resurgence of certain negative issues that plagued the area in the past, such as safety concerns and crime. But he also acknowledges the positive developments that have taken place, particularly the construction of new, well-maintained buildings that contribute to a safer environment. It was during Victor’s time working at a church, where he was responsible for caring for the building, that he first encountered the Bronx Documentary Center. Victor describes himself as a hardworking individual who finds joy in every opportunity to work, especially at the Bronx Documentary Center, which is a constant source of motivation for him.

In addition to enjoying his work at the BDC, he is grateful for the BJPL program. His granddaughter, Chloe Rodriguez, was a student at the BDC, and he appreciates that no financial barriers stood in the way of her access to necessary equipment and resources. Before his involvement with the BDC, Victor worked at the Immaculate Conception School for 16 years. When he retired, he sought advice from a friend on how to spend his time. Encouraging him to stay active, Victor’s friend reminded him of the importance of avoiding isolation and staying engaged with the world to prevent diseases, stress, and a sense of unease. Victor firmly believes that as long as he maintains an active lifestyle, and maintains his religious faith, he will continue to enjoy good health and strength.

Victor’s journey in the United States began when he was a mechanic. He graduated from a mechanic school in Ecuador and easily found a job in New York working for eight years with a team of twelve people at a mechanic shop on River Avenue. Despite facing challenges there, such as coworkers encouraging him to engage in activities like drinking and smoking, Victor always made his own decisions based on his personality and values. He chose not to indulge in those activities, since they weren’t in keeping with his beliefs and would have distracted him from appreciating the life he envisioned. Victor emphasized the importance of willpower, character, and determination in acheiving personal goals and leading a fulfilling life. Photography has been a beloved hobby for Victor, who owns two old film cameras from his earlier days. While he initially purchased them from flea markets, he later embraced the digital era and bought a camera with a screen for storing pictures. Victor used his digital camera to capture moments, such as attending his granddaughter Chloe’s graduation. He enjoys using zoom lenses that allow him to capture clear images from a distance. Victor is interested in furthering his photography knowledge and encourages parents to enroll their children in programs like the BJPL that provide opportunities for learning and exploring photography. He admires the BDC for being an organization with big ideas and is eager to contribute in any way possible to support those ideas.