Cuban couple in Miami decides to enter rehabilitation after more than a year on the streets: "They are ready to leave the pain behind."

The story of Dayan Santiago and his partner, Janet, two Cubans who have been living on the streets in Miami for over a year, has gone viral on social media. Their situation was highlighted by the solidarity project Conducta, which documented their decision to enter a rehabilitation program.

In a recent video posted on the TikTok account @conductadade, both announced their decision to join a program in West Palm Beach. Dayan said: “Well, my people, here we are again. Thank you for the attention given to the video. We are ready to go recover; they are going to help us with a program in West Palm Beach. Thanks from here with Damián and the people from Conducta.”

In that same testimony, he urged other family members or acquaintances of people with addiction problems to seek support: “If you have friends or family who are struggling with addiction issues, reach out to Conducta, and Conducta will really help you, they truly help. They come here, get involved, and support you. If you have a son or a grandson, call Conducta, and Conducta will assist you. Kisses.”

While eating with team members, Dayan says: "Do you want me to tell you something? We go so long without eating that when you finally chew, it feels like the jaw muscles... I don’t know if this has ever happened to you, but when I stop eating for a long time or stop exercising my jaw, it’s like when you eat, you end up biting yourself and everything because the muscles aren’t ready."

In the post, Conducta wrote: “Dayan and Janet have been on the streets of Miami for over a year. Today, they decided together to start a new life. They are ready to enter rehabilitation and leave the pain behind. Join them in this new beginning.”

Before this video, in which they expressed their willingness to initiate change in their lives, the project had shared an initial video where Dayan introduces himself from an improvised camp in the area of 32nd Avenue and 46th Street in Miami.

"Good afternoon, everyone, over here. I am Dayan Santiago, from Regla. I am 34 years old," he says at the beginning.

Throughout the video, he shows his surroundings: “Look, Conducta, see, there's a person living there, look under the umbrella, here lives another one. Look at all the little things Conducta left here: food, soda, pudding, you know, fruit punch, look over here. Here, they have a bike shop. Just like everyone else on the street, they’re riding bikes. They fix bicycles here. Look at the presidential suite over there.”

It also explains how many people live there: "Here, well, living here, there are about four, maybe five, six, including a girl who comes, but a million people pass through. Everyone comes by here. This hallway is really well-known."

According to the project's description, after recording that video, Dayan committed to meeting with them every day. "Our goal is to help him enter a rehabilitation program and provide him with a new chance at life." They also added that the donations given, such as food and drinks, were made possible thanks to the support of Progressive Medical Center.

The story of Dayan and Janet has generated thousands of comments on social media, blending solidarity, remembrance, pain, skepticism, and the desire to help.

A woman who identifies as Dayan's mother commented in the first video: “This boy is my son. I have been advised to contact Conducta. I have sent you a message request with my heart broken and very grateful for the support you are providing.”

In response to critical comments, she said: “My heart, I have done a lot for my son. The matter is more complicated than you can imagine. My greatest refuge has been this TikTok platform, which keeps me entertained and allows me to support others in some way. Remember that a mentally strong mother is what my son needs right now.”

In another message, he added: "Of course I'll go there and to even worse places. He was home for two months, but he has relapsed. He's a really good guy and loves me a lot, but he's trapped in this addiction."

Among the comments, several people mentioned knowing Dayan from Cuba, particularly from the area near the Regla refinery. Others recalled Janet and noted how both "were different" before living on the street.

Messages of support were also shared: “God bless you and may you succeed,” “It's sad to see two young people like this,” “What amazes me is seeing someone from the street expressing themselves better than many influencers,” “God is giving them a chance.”

Other comments expressed doubts about the continuity of the process: "They'll leave within a week, just wait and see," "That's difficult, but hopefully they can make it out." Some asked how to help and even offered to contact them directly if they arrived in West Palm Beach.

The case of Dayan and Janet is not the only one reported by Conducta. In recent months, the project has published other stories of Cubans experiencing homelessness in Miami, such as that of Yuli, known as La China de San Antonio, who was also recognized by neighbors and former coworkers. The cases of María del Carmen, an elderly homeless woman, and Bárbara, the mother of newborn twins, have also been documented.

The profile has become a regular source to highlight individuals living on the margins of society, particularly Cuban migrants trapped in cycles of addiction, illness, violence, or abandonment.

Regarding Dayan and Janet, the project stated: “They are determined to change their lives, and this is the first step towards a new opportunity.” Dayan, for his part, summarized it this way: “All I need to do is get clean, because I have the desire.”

Frequently Asked Questions about Cubans Experiencing Homelessness in Miami and the Conducta Project