{"id":288,"date":"2025-06-27T20:46:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T20:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nataliamds.org\/equitablepathways\/?page_id=288"},"modified":"2026-02-04T20:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T20:08:15","slug":"manuel-lopez","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/gallery\/manuel-lopez\/","title":{"rendered":"Manuel Lopez"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element has-contrast-color has-accent-1-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manuel Lopez is a 67-year-old Puerto Rican man from New York City who has been stably housed for three years after experiencing periods of homelessness in both New York and Miami. Growing up in a military family with both parents serving, his father as a soldier and mother as a military nurse, Manuel completed college with a degree in computer programming and built a diverse career as both a performer and dancer in New York and later as a store manager for Macy&#8217;s when he moved to Miami. Now receiving disability income, Manuel draws strength from his faith, regularly attending church, praying, and reading the Bible to manage life&#8217;s challenges. He maintains connections with his sister and children while focusing on his health and personal goals. Looking toward the future, Manuel has ambitious plans including moving to a better apartment in Brickell, writing a book about his experiences as a breakdancer in New York, and starting his own sneakers company, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and creative drive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><figure  class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1685\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC04177-scaled-1.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%;\" class=\"wp-image-701 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC04177-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC04177-scaled-1-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC04177-scaled-1-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC04177-scaled-1-768x506.jpg 768w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC04177-scaled-1-1536x1011.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC04177-scaled-1-2048x1348.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Manuel&#039;s Video Message - Equitable Pathways\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1160359652?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-554 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-manuel-lopez tag-past\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/a-kid-named-brilo\/\" target=\"_self\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PAST-scaled-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"A Kid Named Brilo\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PAST-scaled-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PAST-scaled-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PAST-scaled-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PAST-scaled-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PAST-scaled-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/tag\/past\/\" rel=\"tag\">PAST<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(1.25rem, 1.25rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 1.176), 2rem)\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/a-kid-named-brilo\/\" target=\"_self\" >A Kid Named Brilo<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Remembering the past: I only have one family member in Miami. The building represents the building where they work; where I would go when I needed help. Thankfully they took care of me when I needed it the most. <a class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/a-kid-named-brilo\/\">(Read more)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide is-style-wide--2\"\/>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-563 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-manuel-lopez tag-present\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/manuels-house\/\" target=\"_self\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PRESENT-scaled-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Manuel\u2019s House\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PRESENT-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PRESENT-scaled-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PRESENT-scaled-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PRESENT-scaled-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PRESENT-scaled-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-PRESENT-scaled-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/tag\/present\/\" rel=\"tag\">PRESENT<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(1.25rem, 1.25rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 1.176), 2rem)\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/manuels-house\/\" target=\"_self\" >Manuel\u2019s House<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Navigating the present: When I sit down at this table and open up the shades, I can see the whole downtown, the skyscrapers and the lights. I think to myself, \u201cOne day I\u2019m going to do better and live in one of those skyscrapers. That way my family will come visit me in a nicer&hellip; <a class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/manuels-house\/\">(Read more)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide is-style-wide--3\"\/>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-565 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-manuel-lopez tag-future\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/a-new-future-ahead\/\" target=\"_self\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-FUTURE-scaled-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"A New Future Ahead\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-FUTURE-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-FUTURE-scaled-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-FUTURE-scaled-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-FUTURE-scaled-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-FUTURE-scaled-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Manuel-FUTURE-scaled-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/tag\/future\/\" rel=\"tag\">FUTURE<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(1.25rem, 1.25rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 1.176), 2rem)\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/a-new-future-ahead\/\" target=\"_self\" >A New Future Ahead<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Picturing the future: The old pictures are gone but that\u2019s the past. I want to put new pictures on to show my new life. I had to move from this apartment because some problems with the neighbors. I will put new pictures on these frames once I get settled down again. <a class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/manuel-lopez\/a-new-future-ahead\/\">(Read more)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide is-style-wide--4\"\/>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manuel Lopez is a 67-year-old Puerto Rican man from New York City who has been stably housed for three years after experiencing periods of homelessness in both New York and Miami. Growing up in a military family with both parents serving, his father as a soldier and mother as a military nurse, Manuel completed college [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":701,"parent":535,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-288","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"mb":[],"mfb_rest_fields":["title"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=288"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":785,"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/288\/revisions\/785"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}