Lily Gonzalez – Specialist in: Academic opportunities for formerly incarcerated communities, community organizing and advocacy efforts, specific expertise in the incarceration and re-entry experience from a woman’s perspective
Lily Gonzalez, is a grad student, mom, JustUS Voices storyteller and blogger for La Comadre. Gonzalez was featured in a recent LA Times article about fair chances. She found transformation for her own life through Homeboy Industries and the support she received from that community.
Miguel Lugo is currently the Community Relations Liaison at Homeboy Industries. Miguel was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and his roots are deeply embedded in the Yaqui Nation. He arrived at Homeboy Industries in December 2014, after serving 18 years on a life sentence in the California prison system. In addition to being part of the Homeboy program, Miguel worked on several community advocacy projects, including Ban the Box and Prop. 47. During his time at Homeboy Industries Miguel has emerged as a powerful story-teller and advocate for the formerly incarcerated, gang-impacted, and native people. He is especially passionate about issues that impact those in the Long Beach area. Miguel is now a member of the senior staff at Homeboy Industries. He is a mentor to many of the men and women who walk through their doors seeking services. As he describes it, “Homeboy is a watering hole in the middle of the desert, offering hope, life and new beginnings to thirsty people seeking to make changes in their lives.”
Thaddeus Skiles – Specialist in: Intensive case-management (certified), homeless populations, workforce development, vocational training program development & execution (with particular expertise in the solar industry), gang & prison culture.
Skiles was formerly gang impacted and justice-system involved. He found transformation for his own life through Homeboy Industries and The Amity Foundation, two of the leading organizations dealing with re-entry in Los Angeles, California. Hear more from Thaddeus on this video.
Isabel Osuna – Associate – Isabel is a person of many experiences. She is the daughter of a person that experienced incarceration, became a mother in her teen years, and experienced many periods of parental absence during her childhood. She brings these and many other experiences to her work with the team.