A Portland Man Lands a Job Despite a Difficult Past
May 10, 2009
One of the first things you notice about Alonzo Roper, who goes by Lonzo, is his huge, joyful laugh. He is spontaneous, happy and charming. He is also one of the few employees of Portland’s First Choice Flagging qualified to be on a runway communicating with the flight tower and pilots making sure planes land safely. Newly promoted to supervisor, Lonzo’s job makes him partially responsible for the safety of others. But it was the senseless loss of a life that brought him to Goodwill looking for a second chance.
Lonzo tells us that one evening after reconnecting with a childhood friend who had just been released from prison, they did drugs and partied late into the night. While high on drugs they wandered aimlessly through an area neighborhood during which Lonzo’s friend showed him his gun and informed him the two of them were going to rob the resident in a home they had broken into through a back door. The result was far worse than just robbery. A fight broke out with the homeowner, who suffered a heart attack during the struggle and died. In 1992, Lonzo was convicted of murder and served 14 years in prison for his participation. [Mug Shots Provided].
Lonzo admits he was addicted to drugs; but he also had a strong work ethic. He was not idle while in prison. For example, following Hurricane Katrina, Lonzo initiated a fund raising drive and almost 600 inmates donated $400 to help Katrina survivors. He also earned his GED while incarcerated and now has enough training in drug and alcohol education to become a rehabilitation facilitator. Both in and out of prison, his work history and accomplishments provided Steve Milford, Goodwill’s Job Connection Placement Specialist, a lot to work with when helping Lonzo with his job search.
Today, this father of 9, four of whom are adopted, and grandfather of 20-plus grandchildren, is happy just to be a part of his big, extended family. Lori Lamkey, his boss at First Choice Flagging in Sandy, Oregon is happy too he is part of her company. She has the highest regard for Lonzo, “He is always on time, very dedicated and responsible, and lots of fun to be around.”
If you would like to interview Lonzo and learn more about Job Connection,
call Dale Emanuel, Public Relations Representative, at (503) 238-6138.