1. “From a life in the streets, to a life in the classroom” By: Luis Ibarra Ana Parada Abraham Rodriguez Bonifacio “Boni” Sanchez

2. Findings Santa Cruz County Children’s Mental Health Office (Prop. 63 Mental Services Act) “Helping Gang Members Assimilate Back Into Society” The following information has been used to help identify key needs and issues in the area of helping youth involved with gangs assimilate back into society. Source: Watsonville Digital Bridges Academy Surveys

3. Background Surveyed 131 people 48% - Ex-Gang members 37% - Current gang members 11% - Families of gang members 99% Latino – Gang or Ex-Gang members 88% Male – Gang or Ex-Gang members Most were single or not married 78% - Have families with gang history

4. Why youth are joining gangs? Majority joined gangs between ages of 10-16 years old Many have one parent who works 84% - Surveyed live with one parent 100% - Surveyed say parents work Many parents work at night 65% - Surveyed shows parents work night shift

5. Other Reasons Family members are involved in gangs 73% - Have family members involved in gangs Want fun and excitement They like the thrill of controlling their turf Girls/boys, parties and drugs Want respect and belonging Friendships (deal with their loneliness) Being a part of something

6. Contributing Factor – Violence Violent criminals show early childhood neglect and abuse Likelihood of arrest as a juvenile -- up 53% Likelihood of arrest as an adult -- up 38% Likelihood of arrest for a violent crime -- up 38% Nationwide, alcohol is a contributing factor in 80% of homicides A gun in the home is 43 times more likely to be used to kill a family member or friend or to commit suicide than to defend oneself. Source: Gangs and At-Risk Kids

7. What is the need? All ex-gang members surveyed expressed a desire to assimilate back into society. 61 Ex-Gang members surveyed 6 are in gang intervention programs 93% of gang members surveyed indicated they don’t have good opportunities for the future

8. Why did they leave the gang? Wanted a better future Need to make money Felt they were not going anywhere; not job prospects Having to sell drugs to make money Getting into too much trouble with the law Wanted an education Did it for their families; kids, parents or because it was causing problems at home.

9. What was it like when they got out? Difficult Name calling from peers Harassed Bad experience, threatened Violation of car, house, property etc… Watch Out! Need to be careful in different neighborhoods due to harassment Couldn’t go to many places Difficult

10. What do they need to do to assimilate? Find new friends Change their living environment Move to another neighborhood Change their appearance Clothing Tattoo removal Change themselves, the way they: Think, talk and act in the world Love themselves

11. Solutions! Provide youth with more support in their lives Reach them at a young age (5 th grade) Help them belong to something meaningful Focus their need for excitement constructively Education Change gang behaviors and appearance Graduate from High School or get GED Prepare them for college-level performance Employment Change gang behaviors and appearance Find minimum wage job Find job training program

12. Success Story: Javier Luna He wore the Colors of the Crips; sold drugs, carried a gun WHY? Angry Puerto-Rican immigrant One of nine children raised by single mother Drive-In shooting- saved by Crip Member “From then on I was with that gang” - JL Most of his friends ended in prisons or dead Source: The Seattle Times; Lynn Thompson. Feb 10 2009

13. How? Seattle Agency: Youthcare Provided adult mentors, jobs and recreation to young gang members Offered “Straight-Talk” Counseling and drug-and- alcohol treatment “I got all of this because and individual gave me a chance and believed in me and the system allowed it” –JL His Life now Luna at 34 now has turned his life around Owns his own Construction Company Million-dollar view home near Dash point in Tacoma Source: The Seattle Times; Lynn Thompson. Feb 10 2009

14. Gang Rivals then… Buddies Now Rudolpho Marquez, Richard Reyes and Cesar Cruz Ex -Gang Rivals, Spent many years in Prison Solar Installation Program paid by Homeboy Industries “If there were more people like him, there’d be less people like me” – Reyes Source: CNN; Thelma Gutierrez and Wayne Dash, May 20 th 2009.

15. “Nothing Stops a bullet like a Job” -Homeboy Industries Homeboy Industries Mission Statement: Jobs not Jails: Homeboy Industries assists at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth to become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training and education “Homeboy serves as a symbol of hope and opportunity for those seeking to leave gang life, for whom the barriers and challenges are great, and for whom there is virtually no other avenue to enter the mainstream” Source: Homeboy Industries, http://www.homeboy-industries.org/

16. Opportunities through Homeboy Businesses. Wholesale silk-screen and merchandising operation, Homegirl Cafe and Catering, Homeboy Maintenance Job placement. Places 300 youths and young adults a year in jobs in construction, clerical, textile, health care and other jobs Ya 'Stuvo Tattoo Removal. Has removed gang tattoos from 1,500 people; 1,600 are on the waiting list. Counseling. General and mental health counseling for former gang members and those on probation.

17. Continued… Prison release/transition. Helps recently released inmates find housing, enroll in school, attend drug- treatment and anger-management classes. Community service. Jobs at Homeboy Industries for those who need to perform community service to fulfill probation. Curriculum training. Classes in business and workplace skills, math and reading, parenting and household skills

18. Bibliography Gafni, Matthias. “Ex-gang member has new life plan.” Oakland Tribune. 14 Dec 2007. Oakland Tribune. 1 Jun 2009. "Statistics." Gangs and At-Risk Kids. May 5 2008. 3 Jun 2009 Watsonville Digital Bridges Academy Surveys. “Helping Gang Members Assimilate Back Into Society.” Thompson, Lynn. "Ex-member of Crips gang in Seattle credits an adult mentor with helping him to break from gang." The Seattle Times. 10-2-2009. The Seattle Times. 1 Jun 2009 Gutierrez, Thelma. "Ex-gang members unite: 'You don't have to kill your neighbors'." CNN. 20-5-2009. CNN. 3 Jun 2009 Iwata, Edward. "Homeboy Industries goes gangbusters." USA Today. July 11 2005. USA Today. 1 July 2009 Homeboy Industries. 2008. Homeboy Industries. 1 Jun 2009.