Omar Lopez: super humanist

Volunteering and activism bring joy to a former ACC student

Story by Janice Veteran • Staff Photojournalist and Abra Gist • Online Editor

Photos by Janice Veteran • Staff Photojournalist

Omar Lopez helps people. All people. Even if they only need help carrying a package or translating English posters to Spanish. His passion for helping others is unequivocal.

This former ACC student was offered a position at the City of Austin’s Infectious Diseases Divi- sion, after doing the same job for free at Community AIDS Resources and Education program or C.A.R.E, the place where he volunteered to help others in the community.

Lopez worked at CARE in addition to his full- time restaurant internship, his ACC organization memberships and his full course load while at ACC.

How does a culinary arts student end up working for Health and Human Services?

He evaded the question on numerous occasions. For someone so outgoing and energetic, he was hesitant to reveal much about himself. He’d rather talk about human rights, the fight to end the HIV/ AIDS epidemic and the struggle to mobilize a disenfranchised population of minorities.

Lopez was born in California to Mexican parents. He lived near Sonora Mexico until about age 8. Then he went to school in Arizona, but lived across the border. His parents still live in Mexico today.

His parents made sure that all their children would be United States citizens by being born in the U.S. Lopez grew up with compassionate parents and though he saw a lot of poverty, violence and misfortune in Mexico, his parents instilled in their children the importance of helping others.

“I wasn’t at a disadvantage growing up. I had loving parents who did all they could to provide better opportunities for me and my siblings,” said Lopez, “I was lucky, but they always told me to look around and help anyone that I could.”

Lopez joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served his country abroad for approximately 5 years.

However, that service was cut short when Lopez was discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. He participated in a documentary called “March On” and shared his experience and spoke about being asked to leave the Navy.

“It was tough on me. I needed a change after that whole experience,” said Lopez.

He and his former partner moved to Austin. Lopez had heard that Texas was a great place for bilingual spanish speaking people, so they came to Austin to start a new life.

That’s when Lopez began ACC’s culinary arts program and studied to be a chef. However, his volunteer work would lead him in a different and unexpected direction.

At the AIDS Walkathon on Oct. 21 at City Hall, we had the chance to speak to Lopez, his co-workers, fans and friends.

Lopez began volunteering at the C.A.R.E program, which partners volunteers with HIV, AIDS or cancer patients for the duration of their illness.

“They just recruited me right off the street. I was getting tested and I was bilingual, so they told me I should volunteer,”he said.

“I met Omar about 3-4 years ago, and like most of our volunteers, he came to our training and was matched with a patient…but Omar was different. As the program continued I just saw him blossom and he really got more active and more involved with it. He just had this huge desire to help,” said Roger Temme, Director of Volunteer Recruiting at C.A.R.E.

Lopez’s passion and commitment impressed his mentors and peers.

“He always has a smile on his face. He comes from parents that  taught him how to be an activist even on a really bad day,” said Lisa Medina, Director of Client Services at Project Transitions. “I’m a big fan of ‘My Omar’.”

“Omar never stops,” said friend and C.A.R.E co-worker, Ryan Broussard. He has this amazing ability to commit so fully to a cause.

He’s a great friend, a cool guy and he genuinely wants to help people. That activist side of him never shuts off.”

Walking around the event and talking colleagues, we learned Lopez never stopped being an activist or advocate.

People constantly came up to talk to him and he always paused the conversation to assist others, give hugs and words of encouragement or smile and wave enthusiastically at friends.

We asked Omar again, really though, how does a culinary arts student end up in this line of work? What about this line of work motivates you?

He’s quick to say cooking and being an advocate are not so different.

He does mention that he has his own personal motivations for his overzealous activism. Recently one of his family members was diagnosed with HIV.

He makes sure to point out that this family member is only in his early 20s. However he reiterates it’s more than that though.

“I know it sounds corny but someone smiling motivates me. Even in the kitchen, that saying goes, ‘a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’. It’s not just men…I think the way to everybody’s heart is through their stomach,” said Lopez, “the energy and the love that you bring into it [cooking] just mean everything. You prepare something for someone and you nourish their stomach and their soul.”

“Even in this new role, I’m giving people something. I educate, I advocate and get them all the resources I can.”

Lopez’s eyes look off into the distance, he watches as crews clean up the tents and haul away trash after the AIDS Walkathon. He bites his bottom lip and murmurs that his dream is to expand his work beyond the U.S. borders. Then he asks us to include a graphic with the list of places that ACC students can use to seek HIV testing and mental health. Lopez never stops.

199 thoughts on “Omar Lopez: super humanist”

  8. It’s tough to allow that any chemist hfaventolin, together with all his assistants, could be more helpful, more congenial, more patient, than those at Boutalls. A noteworthy indulgence to forward from such service.
    Wow all kinds of beneficial facts.

  17. I am curious to find out what blog system you have been working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find something more secure. Do you have any suggestions?|

  85. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.|

  142. Nintendo reveals good news that Mario Kart is coming to smartphones in March 2019
    Nintendo of the United States has announced good news to gamers around the world and Mario fans that it is preparing to release Mario Kart, ‘Mario Kart Tour’, for its platform. Smartphones in March 2019, Nintendo announced that the company is in the process of developing Mario Kart Tour to prepare for download and…
    Go To WebSite https://ipro191.com/

    BWing
    01/08/2021

  143. Nong khai might be a little town but it is not less when it comes to offering entertainment and fun. From mesmerizing waterfalls to temples, there is something for all kinds of travelers in Nong Khai. One of the best places to visit in Thailand, this city is for those who want to absorb the culture of Thailand. You can seek blessings at the temples, refresh yourself at the waterfalls and soak in the culture.
    BY-SUNJI Website https://ipro191.com/

  151. However, that service was cut short when Lopez was discharged under the policy. He participated in a documentary called and shared his experience and spoke about being asked to leave the Navy.It was tough on me. I needed a change after that whole experience,” said Lopez.He and his former partner moved to Austin. Lopez had heard that Texas was a great place for bilingual spanish speaking people, so they came to Austin to start a new life.That’s when Lopez began ACC’s culinary arts program and studied to be a chef. However, his volunteer work would lead him in a different and unexpected direction. เบ้น https://iprobet168.com/

  161. นปี 1504 รัฐบาลแห่งเมืองฟลอเรนซ์ได้มีการว่าจ้างให้ไมเคิลแองเจโลให้สร้างรูปปั้นเพื่อที่จะให้เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการตกแต่งขอบโดมของอาสนวิหารฟลอเรนซ์ อย่างไรก็ตามลังจากที่งานนี้เสร็จสิ้นลง พวกเขาต่างตกตะลึงในความงดงามของรูปปั้นนี้จนมีการตัดสินใจว่า จะให้วางผลงานประติมากรรมชิ้นนี้ไว้ที่จัสตุรัสหน้าประตูทางเข้าพระราชวัง Palazzo Vecchioแทน ใกล้กับศาลากลางเมืองฟลอเรนซ์ รูปปั้นแกะสลักหินอ่อนนี้ถูกเคลื่อนย้ายในปี 1873 โดยมีความประสงค์ที่จะให้ย้ายไปอยู่ที่ Gallery of the Academy ซึ่งเป็นหอศิลป์ในเมืองฟลอเรนซ์ โดยมีการสร้างรูปปั้นจำลองขึ้นมาวางไว้ที่เดิมที่รูปปั้นเคยอยู่ในปี 1910 ดาวิด (มีเกลันเจโล) by wila 17/07

    GO to website https://ipro191.com/

  162. นครเปตรา (Petra) คือนครหินแกะสลักโบราณที่ซ่อนตัวอย่างลึกลับใน หุบเขาวาดี มูซา (Wadi Musa) หุบเขาที่ตั้งอยู่ระหว่าง ทะเลสาบเดดซี กับ ทะเลอัคบา ใน ประเทศจอร์แดน เป็นเมืองที่เจาะสลักเข้าไปในหินเกือบทั้งหมด รอบบริเวณ ไม่ว่าจะเป็น วิหาร หลุมศพ บันได โรงละคร ซึ่งขุดสลักมาแต่ยอดเขาลงมาเป็นหลืบลดหลั่นเป็นช่อชั้นงดงาม แสดงถึงฝีมือและศิลปะในการสลักหินได้อย่างยอดเยี่ยม ถือกันว่าเป็นศูนย์กลางของอารยธรรมเบื้องต้นของเขตตะวันออกกลาง จึงกลายเป็น 1 ใน 5 สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว อารยธรรมโบราณที่ต้องไปเห็นด้วยตาตัวเองให้ได้สักครั้งในชีวิต by wila 16/07

    GO to website https://ipro191.com/

  163. ดินปืน (Gun powder หรือ black powder) คือ ผงละเอียดสีดำที่ติดไฟได้ พวกมันถูกนำมาใช้เป็นส่วนประกอบของสิ่งประดิษฐ์หลากหลายชนิดที่เกี่ยวข้องกับไฟ และการระเบิด สารไวไฟอย่างยิ่งยวดชนิดนี้เริ่มต้นการเดินทางจากประเทศจีน โดยเป็นหนึ่งในสิ่งประดิษฐ์สำคัญจากโลกตะวันออกที่มีประวัติศาสตร์ยาวนาน พอ ๆ กับไหม กระดาษ เข็มทิศ ตัวอักษรจีน และภาษา by wila 14/07

    Go to website https://ipro191.com/

  168. Morata, who had been dropped from the starting lineup after beginning all Spain’s previous games, equalised with 10 minutes left, calmly slotting into the bottom corner after bursting forward and exchanging a one-two with Olmo.จิ๋ว
    https://ipro191.com/

  171. ความหวังใหม่ของ “น้องยันต์” นักเรียนกางเกงขาด ยอดบริจาคใกล้แสน
    อุปนายกสมาคมกีฬามวยอาชีพแห่งประเทศไทย ยื่นมือให้ความช่วยเหลือ “น้องยันต์” เด็กนักเรียนใส่ชุดขาดๆ สานฝันให้เข้าศึกษาต่อในโรงเรียนกีฬางเรียน จนกระทั่งจบหลักสูตร ขณะที่ยอดเงินบริจาคเกือบแสนบาทแล้ว
    พีช
    Go to website https://ipro191.com

  188. I learned a lot from the insight you shared here. It’s good to learn more about this topic, and if you have some free time or you’re curious about some celebrity basic information, you can visit celeb networth post and search for it.

Comments are closed.