Juan Carlos Lopez
Monday, March 1, 2010 at 12:44PM Published March 2010 Vol 14 Issue 3
by Gretchen Crowe
Juan walked into our doors on December 9, 2009. This seemingly quiet man with the miraculous smile has quickly become a member of the 300 club.
Juan was born in Juãrez, Chihuahua in 1970, moving to New Mexico around six or seven years later. He has seven sisters and two brothers, who all remain close today. When asked about his work history, he flashed a grin and said he started working very young, in fact, while he still lived in Mexico. “My mother used to get mad because I would just take off and go downtown as a kid.” Juan sold Chiclets to the tourists. “When I started doing that, it was for Christmas and I brought lots of groceries and presents for my little sisters.” They weren’t so mad that day.
Juan’s approach to vending the Denver VOICE is unique. He vends to Denver’s Spanish speaking communities, which is a break through for the VOICE. Juan is humbled by the helping nature of this community, and said most people don’t read English, “but they take that paper home, and someone there will.”
Juan hasn’t had it easy. His struggle seems to fuel his faith in God, and his unyielding belief in other people is inspiring. Since Thanksgiving day, Juan has seen three acts of violence that aren’t uncommon for people living on the streets. The first on Thanksgiving was as he walked next to a bridge. A couple of men came out, cutting Juan’s cheek like a smiley face, simply to steal his coat.
The second was in an alley where he was sleeping. Some bar patrons left a bar and kicked the back of his head, pushing his teeth through his bottom lip and knocking him out. Did they steal anything? No, it was a hateful act.
The third attack broke Juan’s nose. Some younger kids stole his backpack. It’s hard to fathom the love that Juan emanates after incidents like these, but when asked about how he isn’t bitter, he answered, “I’m trying to clean my own self, and when I see my inequities, I start my day thanking God for another day and another day. I don’t want to hate anyone.” Juan is currently struggling to get housing and to not have to sleep outside. He moved here from Albuquerque two years ago to follow a friend. He had encouraged Juan to move, stay with him and hinted of a job. Juan had been working in construction and restaurants since he left high school, and was searching for a new leaf after his parents’ deaths. But, when Juan got here, his so-called friend had given him a fake address and disconnected his number. Juan’s first step was to touch base with the Catholic Church.
He began taking care of the grounds of the church in exchange for a small room. He still volunteers regularly at Father Woody’s. In fact, while waiting to do this interview, Juan spent an hour translating our vendor orientation and training for a new recruit who knew very little English. Perhaps the glimmer of selflessness is beginning to come through. For those of us who know him, it’s unmistakable.
Gretchen Crowe, Juan Carlos Lopez, March 2010, Vendors in Vendor Profile
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