The Lorena Carmona Fellowship
Restorative Community Solutions is proud to announce the Lorena Carmona Fellowship, a heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary woman whose life was dedicated to service, empowerment, and community health. Lorena Carmona was a trailblazing Community Health Worker, a published author, and a mentor who left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
Lorena’s journey began as a person who has been impacted by the criminal justice system, and decided that wasn’t going to be her legacy. She came to Roots Community Health Center in 2016, and participated in a group called “Pathways to Change”. We took a deep dive into addressing barriers that formerly incarcerated people face and this is where we first met. Lorena was the only one to show up, and we spoke for hours about her dreams, barriers, and successes. Lorena’s determination and passion were evident from the start. She once told me she wanted to do what I was doing, and I knew she would surpass me in many ways. Her journey has been a testament to resilience and passion. Lorena realized her dreams and enrolled at City College of San Francisco, where she excelled and gave back by teaching and mentoring other Community Health Workers. Her impact was profound, touching countless lives through her compassion and dedication.
The Lorena Carmona Fellowship is a 12-month program designed to honor her legacy by empowering formerly incarcerated leaders through coaching and community health work. Fellows receive a $1,000 monthly stipend to focus on their professional growth and community contributions.
Lorena passed away on November 19, 2023, but her memory and passion for this work will never be forgotten and will live on. Her children and her loving family continue to inspire and encourage us to continue in this important work. Lorena’s legacy of kindness and empowerment will forever be in our hearts.
We are excited to introduce Precious Johnson as our first fellow. Precious embodies the spirit of this fellowship with her passion for community health and her dedication to making a difference. Her journey and contributions will continue the important work that Lorena started.
