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Stopping
Street Gangs
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Street gangs sometimes recruit members at a very young age—while children are still in elementary school. So a program aimed at keeping kids out of gangs starts with something lots of them can use—help with their homework. Kim Riemland (reem land) reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Salinas, California)
Child spelling with tutor: “D-I-S, S-H.” “Very good.”
It began as a way to tutor neighborhood kids.
Sandra Gomez, La Sagrada Familia United Methodist Church: “I had an
8-year-old boy come to me and ask if he could bring me his homework,
because his parents couldn’t speak English.”
Reading book: “Long ago in a village…”
So a local United Methodist church in Salinas, California opened its
doors to children after school … and is now recognized in the community
for keeping kids out of street gangs.
Dan Chavez, 11-year-old: “I used to be in the streets hanging out with
way bigger guys than me in the park. One time, they were inviting me to
do drugs.”
The Rev. Frank Gomez, La Sagrada Familia United Methodist Church: “A
gang member actually shared with me that they had used our church
parking lot to stake out a place that they were planning to rob.”
Pastor Frank Gomez runs the youth program at the church and counsels
gang members who are behind bars.
The Rev. Frank Gomez, La Sagrada Familia United Methodist Church: “This
problem affects us all. It’s not only on some east side or west side or
north side of a community, or on the other side of the tracks.”
Armando, Former Gang Member: “The average individual don’t know nothing
about gangs until maybe their house is burglarized, maybe they’re
carjacked. It’s something that, unfortunately, is getting out of hand.”
Hundreds of kids have been involved in the program since it started
seven years ago.
Mariela Raya, 9-year-old: “Sandy teaches not to bully people.”
Gomez is proud that all of these students passed their school courses
and stayed away from the dangers on the streets.
The Rev. Frank Gomez, La Sagrada Familia United Methodist Church: “None
of the children that we know of have gotten involved in gangs or into
trouble with the law. It definitely makes every effort and every hour
worthwhile.”
TAG:
Pastor Gomez also serves on a citizens’ committee
that’s making recommendations on reducing violence in Salinas. And he
says it takes a partnership with churches, law enforcement, and other
groups—because police can’t do the job alone.
For more information, contact Pastor Frank Gomez at 831-757-6504.
Also, see:
Hispanic church offers alternative to street gangs