Transformation Story

Meet Mariana Ruiz

Meet Mariana Ruiz, she joined Homeboy Industries in 2013 as a trainee. During her time here, she pursued and completed an internship earning a chemical dependency counselor certificate, which led to a job at Century Regional Detention Center for women. Now, Mariana is working at Homeboy Industries as a case manager. She recently celebrated 13 years of sobriety. Reflecting on her journey she shared, "One of the biggest challenges about staying clean is having to admit that I did not know who I was...Homeboys helped me to embrace who I was becoming." She acknowledges getting reacquainted with God and the support of Natalie Venegas and Jose Osuna, who helped guide her through difficult times. "They never said you're getting off track. [Instead] they lined up the rest of the track for me to make sure I was still moving in a direction that was beneficial." Mariana credits Homeboy Industries for providing her with a job, purpose, education, career foundation, and the opportunity to embrace her true self.