Transformation Story

Meet Norma Lopez

“I was at a point where I wanted to give up because I felt stuck. My record was keeping me from getting a job. I had nothing on my resume. They wanted to hire me somewhere, and when they found out I had a record and felonies, they denied me. I couldn’t find a job anywhere. That’s when someone told me to come to Homeboy.

Donna [our Director of Legal Services] helped me bring my felonies down to misdemeanors and expunge my record. I have so many things on my resume now! It feels really, really good. I’ve been sober for almost 6 years. I don’t feel stuck today. I feel I’m able to move forward. No matter what’s going on in my life, I know I can get through it.

It just gives me a lot of peace and hope that no matter what I’m going through, I don’t have to be alone today. I have people that are there for me and help me, even it’s just a hug or an ‘I’m here.’ I’ve never had this much support.

Life shows up. I used to run when life showed up. I don’t have to run today. I have people that are there for me, with me, to go through it.”