A former MS-13 gang member recounts their journey, beginning with their decision to join the gang at 14 years old after being robbed by a gang member and seeking protection and a sense of belonging. They became deeply entrenched in the gang lifestyle, committing various crimes and earning a reputation. However, after a series of tragic events, including attending friends' funerals and seeing their family suffer, they began to question their involvement and eventually found a way out through a gang intervention group.
After leaving the gang, they faced numerous challenges, including false accusations and arrest, but ultimately prevailed and went on to earn a degree in criminal justice. Today, they work as the executive director of a gang violence prevention organization, helping hundreds of kids get out of gangs and stay out. They emphasize the importance of providing support and a sense of belonging to former gang members, allowing them to reintegrate into society rather than isolating and punishing them.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker used to be a member of the MS-13 gang.
2. The speaker joined MS-13 at the age of 14.
3. MS-13 was formed in the 1980s by Salvadoran refugees in Los Angeles.
4. The US government deported thousands of immigrants, including gang members, in 1996.
5. The speaker was born in LA to a Mexican and Argentinian family.
6. The speaker's neighborhood was MS-13 territory.
7. The speaker was robbed by an MS-13 gang member at gunpoint.
8. The speaker was initiated into MS-13 and felt relief and a sense of belonging.
9. The speaker committed assaults and robberies as a member of MS-13.
10. The speaker was arrested and jailed multiple times for gang-related activities.
11. The speaker's life changed when he met Alex Sanchez, a former MS-13 gang member who started a gang intervention group.
12. The speaker joined the gang intervention group and began to leave MS-13.
13. The speaker moved to Colorado to escape the gang lifestyle.
14. The speaker was accused of starting MS-13 activities in Colorado and was arrested and jailed again.
15. The speaker defended himself in court and had his charges dropped.
16. The speaker got a degree in criminal justice and worked in youth detention facilities.
17. The speaker is now the executive director of Homies Unidos Denver, a gang violence prevention and intervention organization.
18. The organization helps youth and their families become advocates for social change.
19. The organization provides support and resources to help youth leave gangs and stay out of gangs.
20. 70% of kids who try to leave gangs without support fall back into gang activity.
21. The speaker's organization has helped hundreds of kids get out of gangs and stay out of gangs.