That One Moment

On March 19, more than 115 community members attended North County Lifeline’s Gang forum, held in partnership with VGRIP (Vista Gang Reduction Intervention and Prevention) and Project CLAIM (Creating Leadership & Inspiring Mentors).

Deputy Ortiz, with the Sheriff’s department, presented some sobering statistics regarding the number of identified gangs as well as documented gang members in our North San Diego County cities. Becoming a ‘documented gang member’ by law enforcement can be as simple as being seen associating with other documented gang members.

• Oceanside: 580 documented gang members in 13 gangs
• Vista: 400 documented gang members in one gang
• Escondido: 1,200 documented gang members in 2 gangs

Deputy Ortiz listed identifiers associated with gang membership that parents should be aware of to help them understand what their children are encountering in school and on the street. 

Xuan Santos, PhD., from CSUSM gave his testimonial of being raised in Los Angeles’ gangland. It was a gripping story of overcoming obstacles within the neighborhood and within his family to escape the culture of gangs. He stressed the importance of the types of programs Lifeline offers, which provide positive role models and mentors to build confidence in our children.  

Dr. Santos highlighted the power of language. What if society changed its approach of helping “kids at risk” to helping “kids with promise”? In his life’s experience, it was a mentor believing in him and telling him he could be someone that prompted him to avoid gangs, graduate high school, get accepted to Yale, attend college and ultimately earn his Pd.D. from UC Santa Barbara.

Gustavo Licona, Lead Outreach and Gang Prevention Specialist with North County Lifeline, described the programs available to the community to assist with mentoring and developing self-reliance in our youths. 

Project CLAIM speakers touched everyone with their stories of redemption. Miguel Yescas, Juan Flores and Shanell Rodriguez spoke about gang life, prison time, drug addiction, rape, recovery and that one moment or person who mentored them, inspired them and motivated them to change. 

Additional community forums will be held this year on topics important to the needs of the community. For input on topics, please contact Gustavo Licona at (760) 726-4900 ext. 6345.

Story Submitted by: 
Cindy Ballard-Guminski
Executive Assistant/Development Coordinator
and
Gustavo Licona
Lead Outreach and Gang Prevention Specialist