Victorville, CA Former Gang Members Work with Youth
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Ex-gangsters try to break cycle by working with youth
By KAREN STAPLEY/Staff Writer
Former gang members are working with "at-risk" youth to educate them about the dangers of gang life and what alternatives are available through a program called Gang Reduction Intervention Team.
GRIT aims to provide a positive and stimulating environment for students during a twelve week program which tries to build the self esteem of students.
GRIT defines at-risk youth as those who have displayed inappropriate behaviors, criminal or drug activity. The target population includes youth who have have been suspended from school or who are on probation or parole.
Students are taught gangs are not the only option. Classes include anger management, leadership building, gang realities, STD education, CPR and a class called "Is college a possibility?""
We have come back to teach youngsters not to walk that way," Joseph Rodriguez an instructor and former gang member said. "We will teach them how to stay away from drugs and gangs." Rodriguez said there are many myths and misconceptions about belonging to a gang."They think belonging to a gang is glamorous," Rodriguez said."There is a myth that being a gang member is a life time commitment," Rodriguez said. "I am an ex-gang member who is now a registered nurse."
Rodriguez knows all too well the dangers of gang life.
"I spent most of my life in jail until my late 20s," Rodriguez said.
"It is a generation thing," Rodriguez said. "I got into heroin because of my father. He got into gangs because of his father."
Rodriguez aims to break the cycle "even when it is acceptable at home."
"Gangs may be frowned on but is considered OK (in some families)," Rodiguez said.
The program has sites in San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto and Moreno Valley. There is not one in Barstow at present.
GRIT will take seven 16- to 17-year-old men on a camping trip to Ventura for three nights and four days.
Rodriguez said the students will learn valuable leadership skills and participate in group activities."We will be talking to youngsters about what it takes to be a man," Rodriguez said. "And how to say no (to drugs and gangs) when everybody else is saying yes."
GRIT aims to challenge certain preconceived ideas students may have — like college being an unobtainable goal.
"We get them to look at it another way," Rodriguez said. "I ask them tell me why you think you can't go to college. They always reply 'I don't know.'"
"I want to try to help keep kids out of jail," Rodriguez said. "We need to change their attitude not just lock them up."
Rodriguez said more money should be spent on prevention programs rather than spend more money on police and prisons.
Sgt. Doug Hubbard of the Barstow Sheriff's Station said deputies are aware of the program and know to refer people who could benefit to the program."These programs offer a lot of great things," Hubbard said. "Any program showing an alternative to the gang lifestyle is very worthwhile."Hubbard did have one reservation: "They have to be a willing participant to benefit or they won't."
"We don't claim to have all the answers but we have a lot of experience," Rodriguez said.
Ex-gangsters try to break cycle by working with youth
By KAREN STAPLEY/Staff Writer
Former gang members are working with "at-risk" youth to educate them about the dangers of gang life and what alternatives are available through a program called Gang Reduction Intervention Team.
GRIT aims to provide a positive and stimulating environment for students during a twelve week program which tries to build the self esteem of students.
GRIT defines at-risk youth as those who have displayed inappropriate behaviors, criminal or drug activity. The target population includes youth who have have been suspended from school or who are on probation or parole.
Students are taught gangs are not the only option. Classes include anger management, leadership building, gang realities, STD education, CPR and a class called "Is college a possibility?""
We have come back to teach youngsters not to walk that way," Joseph Rodriguez an instructor and former gang member said. "We will teach them how to stay away from drugs and gangs." Rodriguez said there are many myths and misconceptions about belonging to a gang."They think belonging to a gang is glamorous," Rodriguez said."There is a myth that being a gang member is a life time commitment," Rodriguez said. "I am an ex-gang member who is now a registered nurse."
Rodriguez knows all too well the dangers of gang life.
"I spent most of my life in jail until my late 20s," Rodriguez said.
"It is a generation thing," Rodriguez said. "I got into heroin because of my father. He got into gangs because of his father."
Rodriguez aims to break the cycle "even when it is acceptable at home."
"Gangs may be frowned on but is considered OK (in some families)," Rodiguez said.
The program has sites in San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto and Moreno Valley. There is not one in Barstow at present.
GRIT will take seven 16- to 17-year-old men on a camping trip to Ventura for three nights and four days.
Rodriguez said the students will learn valuable leadership skills and participate in group activities."We will be talking to youngsters about what it takes to be a man," Rodriguez said. "And how to say no (to drugs and gangs) when everybody else is saying yes."
GRIT aims to challenge certain preconceived ideas students may have — like college being an unobtainable goal.
"We get them to look at it another way," Rodriguez said. "I ask them tell me why you think you can't go to college. They always reply 'I don't know.'"
"I want to try to help keep kids out of jail," Rodriguez said. "We need to change their attitude not just lock them up."
Rodriguez said more money should be spent on prevention programs rather than spend more money on police and prisons.
Sgt. Doug Hubbard of the Barstow Sheriff's Station said deputies are aware of the program and know to refer people who could benefit to the program."These programs offer a lot of great things," Hubbard said. "Any program showing an alternative to the gang lifestyle is very worthwhile."Hubbard did have one reservation: "They have to be a willing participant to benefit or they won't."
"We don't claim to have all the answers but we have a lot of experience," Rodriguez said.
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