By 15, Rodriguez had been expelled from school and thrown out of his house by his mother, who had tired of picking him up from police stations and waiting up nights wondering whether he'd come home alive. He lived on the streets for a while, sleeping on the floors of friends' houses, crashing in fields, in parks, in cars, or wherever he could get some sleep. He felt hopeless and contemplated suicide, even taking a blade to his wrists on one occasion. As the violence between Las Lomas and Sangra gangs escalated and the death toll mounted, the South San Gabriel community rallied to halt the violence and reclaim their youth. Funded by federal anti-poverty money, community centers sprung up throughout East L.A.'s barrios, offering dropout programs, job placements, counseling and recreational and cultural opportunities for young people.
Youth is youth for a good reason.
I am living proof of the capacity for change. Ramirez played a pivotal role in changing Rodriguez's world view, channeling his rage into a constructive activism and assisting him to leave the gang. Rodriguez was instantly drawn to Ramirez, a former counselor for the California Youth Authority, an experienced community organizer and a native of East L.A.'s barrios who had come back after college. Ramirez was drawn to Rodriguez, attracted by his thirst for learning. As a youth, Rodriguez had read all the history books about Mexico he could find in the library.