May 17. 2009 13:45

we need to statr with family members, and aggressive outreach one family at a time, it is a slow process, no one answer quick fix, and a total dedication of the individual to commit to the family. Porgrams are good, but it is not sustainable, gangs are someone's child, regardless of how you see it, it is human contact, compassion and trust that maks the change in someone, Not program. I have been involved in this issue for the last 22 years, and have seen it all, in the end, unconditional tough love is what they need, honest and truthful, and unafraid, it sounds too simple, but it has been proven to be effective, i can bring real former members to testify.

Thank you !
God Bless, Susan Bechara Founder and Chaplain House of Hope for
Youth Fresno California

susan bechara

May 18. 2009 09:30

i wonder if you really want our input. Here i get the notice after the public meeting serving my area already took place.
Areas of concern.
1. its all in law enforcment's hands. No one reaches out to the parents to offer promotera type of activies to educated them as to what they should be doing to prevent this.
2. it costs money to keep the kids involved in activities. most of the community centers are full to capacity and or taken over by seniors and other type of programs.
3. whatever happened to free wedensdays at the zoo or for that matter any other place for famiiles?
4. jobs, jobs, jobs are important. Although i learned about the summer youth program having funds thru word of mouth I don't think the community knows about it just like your public meetings.
5. the schools are locked up at night instead of having activities for kids funded by summer school jobs
6. as a kid what got me out of gangs was community involvement with the EOC programs.
7. having others at the table instead of just cops would be important. many people don't reallize what the laws are yet, they are expected to obey them. i would like to see PSAs on laws like bike riding. instead of just harrassing the kids and all the bike riders.
8. instead of harrassing the kids the cops need new persecpective on the cultural awareness and how hard it is to be a kid in this day and age. not everybody has access to two parents, now everybody has money to pay the gym, not everybody has a car to go to activties, not everybody has a job at home, not everybody has money, not everybody has a safe home, not everybody has someone to run to for help, especiallywhen those you thought you could run to turn around and profile you.
some the parents don't know what to do when their kids are turning into gangs. they are afraid of disobeying the law.
the State bar association hands out fre brouchures on know the laws for kids and young adults and seniors. these should be made availbale to all in the community.

M. gloria Hernandez