At Wider Circle, we believe connection can change everything. A kind word or helping hand can be the spark that brings someone back from the edge. Stories like Norman’s show just how powerful that spark can be.
In this edition of Stories from the Circle, meet Norman – a former locksmith from Hawaii who lost everything during the pandemic. After suffering burns in a fire, his Wider Circle Area Manager helped him access food, benefits, and job support. With that care, Norman found healing, purpose, and strength.
Today, he’s a proud Wider Circle Ambassador and inspiration to his community. They call him “Superman” – not because he’s invincible, but because he shows up with heart and courage every day.
We hope his journey reminds you what’s possible when we lift one another up – together.
Norman A.
From Hardship to Hero: How Community Helped Norman Rise
After losing his business and surviving a devastating injury, Norman found purpose, stability, and connection through his Wider Circle community.
After losing his locksmith business during the pandemic, Norman left Hawaii and moved to Columbus, Ohio for a fresh start. Instead, he faced homelessness, health challenges – and felt completely alone.
That changed when Chiquela, a Wider Circle Area Manager, called to check in. Realizing he needed emergency housing and food, she quickly connected him to local resources. At his first event, Norman arrived with a smile and left as an ambassador – ready to give back and take better care of himself. Chiquela helped him find a primary care provider and eye doctor, and he immediately got to work setting up appointments.
But just weeks later, disaster struck again. While saving a friend’s garage from a fire, Norman suffered third-degree burns on his hands and feet. The injuries were severe, requiring painful skin grafts.
He turned to Chiquela once more, who ensured his care was covered and connected him to food, recovery resources, and job support to help him regain stability. With regular check-ins from Chiquela and those around him, Norman never felt alone.
“I’ve never met an organization that cared more about my well-being,” Norman said.
As Norman recovered, the access to fresh foods and a growing social life started to make a visible difference. His blood pressure improved drastically, and the sense of community helped lift him out of the depression he had carried for so long. “I feel more engaged,” he said. “It’s helped me feel less alone.”
“Wider Circle has been incredible to me,” he shared. Norman says Wider Circle was “a lifeline” when he needed it most – a source of connection, compassion, and strength in his darkest hour.
Norman has now made a full recovery from the fire. Today, he’s interviewing for jobs, working with a housing organization, and rebuilding his life with hope and determination – and he hasn’t missed a Wider Circle event since.
And today, he proudly shares his journey with others at events. In fact, so many members have been inspired by his story that they often ask him what they can do to improve their blood pressure just like he did.
“Superman”. That’s what his community calls him now – because of his bravery, resilience, and the way he always shows up for others. Recently, they even went to see the new Superman movie together as well.
But what makes Norman truly heroic isn’t just his strength – it’s his connection to the people around him. His real superpower is the community that stood by his side, lifted him up, and reminded him he wasn’t alone. In every moment of hardship and healing, it was that circle of care that helped him rise.
Because sometimes, even Superman needs a team. And in Wider Circle – Norman found his.
Thank you, Norman, for sharing your journey and reminding us of the strength found in courage and community. And thank you to our sponsors for helping make stories like Norman’s possible every day.
About the author: Jamie Zale
Wider Circle
