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Keeping Kids Off The Streets

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By Diana Lucio Reporter

M30o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Keeping Kids Off The Streets

Published: Wed, May 14, 2008 - 10:27 pm
Last Updated: Wed, May 14, 2008 - 10:48 pm

Diana Lucio

This isn't the first time Louis Perez and Agustin Lizama have faced a room full of kids locked up at Strickland Youth Center. "The first time we came over here to Alabama..the view on these kids is like..what are these eses going to tell us?, "Said Louis Perez with Homeboy Industries. Perez and Lizama say they too once served time behind bars and there was only so much a juvenile detention center could do. "You find these people in here that are probation officers and that's more of a 9 to 5 thing. But what about after school hours?, "Said Perez. Judge Edmond Naman says its a struggle for Strickland. "We can do a lot of good work on them and we can really turn their lives around, but we can't follow up with them because there is no place and these kids are going back to those same very dangerous streets,"Said judge Naman. But Perez and Lizama's visit is to help find a solution to the problem. The two got help from Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles based organization that reaches out to at-risk youth. "I feel that these kids need to know that they are somebody and they are special and that they're living for a reason,"Said Agustin Lizama.

Homeboy Industries have been working with a youth non-profit in Prichard called The Light of the Village. They hope their visit to Strickland will help to bring a program like Homeboy Industries to Mobile County.

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this sort of reminds me of the story I heard a good while back. a neighborhood was trying to form a community watch and was having a meeting on a certain night. They had a couple of people going around taking the names and addresses of those planning to attend.It turned out those people taking names tried to burglar those homes who owners went to the meeting. Point being that not all gang members are dummies.

Posted by carl on 05/15/08 - 6:45 pm • Report Abuse .

If people really wanted to help these kids they could possibly do what we have done in the recent past. Me and the wife took a young girl in as one of our kids from the Strickland youth center and a month or two later realized we had taken in two instead of one.We raised both for 3 or 4 years ,got the girl through school all at our own expense.It has turned out fairly good for her and the baby so far.she’s married and is stable as far as I can tell and is a tax payer. I don’t mean to knock these young men but these kids need something other than lip service. I get jumpy when you mention former gang members,but I hope this is true.

Posted by carl on 05/15/08 - 4:04 pm • Report Abuse .

Boondock, are u serious? I think u completely misinterpreted what I was saying. Did you see where I wrote “Bad, but funny”? That was saying that its terrible that they go through great lengths to recruit, but it is funny that Carl knew what they were doing. I have never thought of it that way. I was laughing at how ignorant many are on the ways of the Gang. Do ME a favor, as I am riding with the cop u suggested, please reach behind your back and pull your panties from your rear-end. Untangle them, and move on. Thanks have have a wonderful day.

Posted by mremann83 on 05/15/08 - 3:56 pm • Report Abuse .

So you think it’s funny when you see California tags driving around Bayou La Batre? Do you know what they are doing? Obviously not. They are recruiting for their gang. Are you so caught up in your little world that you can’t conceive that gangs are recruiting in new ways never seen before. It’s on a national level. Do me a favor, go along for a ride with the local police and ask him/her about our gang problem in this area. You will get an earfull.

Posted by Boondock on 05/15/08 - 3:27 pm • Report Abuse .

I think its hilarious that Carl thinks these people are recruiting. I dont know if they are, or arent. I just think the idea is funny. Bad, but funny.

Posted by mremann83 on 05/15/08 - 2:53 pm • Report Abuse .

I sure hope that this is what it appears to be,a helping hand for these kids. Some of these gangs have gotten pretty slick and innovative in their quest for new members. It bears watching and if it is what it appears to be ,then these young men deserve a pat on the back and a helping hand.

Posted by carl on 05/15/08 - 12:15 pm • Report Abuse .

CONGRATS, I am Proud of you and what you are doing and I pray that you will have a big effect with all the kids to meet with. Best of Luck

Posted by justme on 05/15/08 - 9:57 am • Report Abuse .