Archive for the ‘Gang Families’ Category

A Gang Family

Posted: June 4, 2013 in Gang Families, Gangs, Getting Out, Incarceration, Inspiration, Neighborhoods, Violence
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A generational gang family in Chicago:

 

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2013/06/03/nr-howell-mutligenerational-gang-members.cnn

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The OG Group

Posted: April 15, 2013 in Awareness, Church in the Hood, Gang Families, Gangs and God, Get Involved, Gsus Nation, Incarceration, Intervention, Mentorship, Personal Stories, Suffering, Violence, Women
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Do they call you the OG? Are you a mom or the sister of someone who’s gang affiliated and you don’t know what to do? Are you a female that has been affected by gang violence and in need of support? Do you have a son or daughter who is incarcerated for their gang affiliation? Do you feel threatened or embarrassed by gang-related events that you have no control over? have you lost a son or daughter to the violence? Are you affiliated and are tired of the pain? This may be a chance to find help, as well as peace of mind. God knows your pain and wants to reach out and begin healing the hurt. With that in mind, Crossfire is trying to start a  support group for women who have been affected by the violence of our city streets. You may feel powerless in yourself to make a difference, or you may feel guilty about events that family members have been involved in that have caused pain for yourself or others. We’d like to help. If you are interested in joining other women with similar feelings, please call or text me at 773.294.8849 to start the process rolling. I can also be reached by e-mail at rlg2@uchicago.edu. We’ll set up a central place to meet if we have enough women who want to get involved. There is a lot of pain, guilt, and fear in the OG world, but don’t let the pain destroy you. Let your pain become the catalyst for change and the means of keeping another mom, sister, or girlfriend from experiencing the same loss and heartache you know.

Ron

Be advised that this is a Christ-centered group that believes the local church is the hope if the world, as well as the hope of your family and neighborhood. Give him a chance and he’ll show you that he is bigger than the violence in Chicago.

Straight Outta Compton

Posted: January 5, 2012 in Clothing, Education, Gang Families, Gangs, Inspiration, Media, Personal Stories, School and the Gang Life, Sports, Violence
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An inspiring article about one family and the intersection of gangs and sports in Compton’s Dominguez HS, Los Angeles. See more at:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192636/1/index.htm.

Chicago Gangs

Posted: November 7, 2011 in Awareness, Daily Life, Gang Families, Gang History, Gangs, Informational, Intervention, Neighborhoods, Pilsen, Video and TV, Women
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Here’s a blog that those interested in the gang life might be interested in viewing. The blog is not for the faint of heart or those easily offended, but if you can cope, the site can be found at:

http://chicagogangs2011.blogspot.com/

Video: 18St Barrio Fiesiocho XV3St.

http://chicagogangs2011.blogspot.com/2011/03/18st-barrio-diesiocho-xv3st.html

Urban Dolorosa: Healing Youth Violence in the Sorrowing City

Posted: November 2, 2011 in Awareness, Death, Forgiveness, Gang Families, Gangs, Gangs and God, Get Involved, Inspiration, Intervention, Neighborhoods, Personal Stories, Ron's Thoughts, Suffering, Violence
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I attended the first Urban Dolorosa (the sorrowing city) memorial service last night at St. Sabina and it was very moving.  I attended the event in order to (1) support Chicago families that have lost children to this senseless violence, (2) to call out the people with guns and say, “stop the killing,” and (3) to ask God’s forgiveness for not doing more to stop this epidemic of death.  With this in mind, I’d like to pose the following question to you, “What are you doing to stop the madness?”  Your answer might start here. There are four more services this week. I highly recommend attendance and participation in this effort to curb or stop youth violence in Chicago. For more information on how to get involved, go to the Urban Dolorosa website at:

http://www.urbandolorosa.org/

 Make a difference.  Get involved.  Stop the violence.

Ron

Additions to the Prayer List

Posted: September 14, 2011 in Gang Families, Gangs and God, Incarceration, Intervention, Prayer Calendar, Prayer Circle
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Please pray for Edgar Fernandez, his brother Freddie and their friend Bernadino. I met Freddie and Bernadino when i was visiting Martin at Cook County Jail. Continue to pray for Martin too.

A Female G Sees the Light (Literally)

Posted: August 15, 2011 in Death, Gang Families, Gangs, Gangs and God, Getting Out, Girl Gangs, Intervention, Love, Women
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This is a very cool story about how one female G literally saw the light when she tried to commit suicide. It’s yet another example of how God still intervenes in the lives of people today. This young woman is now in school preparing for the rest of her life and working to help other Gs get out of the gang life and find a more meaningful life. Read it. I think you’ll be amazed! And don’t forget, God has a dream for you too! Ask Him about it.

http://www.streetgangstyle.com/street_gangs/street-gang-articles/yall-gang/

Down with the Family…2

Posted: July 19, 2011 in Awareness, Gang Families, Gangs, Gangs and God, Incarceration, Violence
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Last week I shared a post about how gang life affects a Gs family. This is another post with the same message. If you think that your gangbanging doesn’t impact your family, think again. For more on how gangbanging affects a family, look at this:

http://www.streetgangstyle.com/street_gangs/street-gang-articles/leaving-family-gang/

Please pray for Minnie, her brother, and her entire family. God has a plan here. I will fill you in with more details if the opportunity should present itself.

 

Ron

Down with the Family

Posted: July 9, 2011 in Daily Life, Death, Gang Families, Gangs, School and the Gang Life, Trouble, Violence
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Read more about the potential dangers and certain sadness of family life when you’re affiliated:

http://www.streetgangstyle.com/street_gangs/street-gang-articles/life-gang-related-story/

Gangbanger writes to “Dear Abby”

Posted: June 30, 2011 in Awareness, Education, Gang Families, Gangs, Incarceration, Personal Stories, Violence
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today’s Dear Abby

HOMEBOY IN JAIL SAYS GANG

IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR FAMILY

 

 

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 16-year-old gangbanger looking at spending the rest of my life isolated in a little bird cage. Every day I ask myself the same question. Was it really worth throwing my life away? All I did was help a “homeboy” from getting hurt. I got caught and was convicted on eight charges that led to more than four consecutive life sentences. That ain’t no joke! The sad part of it is that the so-called homeboy turned his back on me when I needed him most. I should’ve pulled away when I could’ve.

The main reason for this letter is to help parents and teens like myself who are choosing the wrong path to realize what you’re getting into while there is still time. Tell parents out there, if you see your kid is messing up in school, using drugs, hanging with the wrong crowd, anything that would lead to gang affiliation, reach out and help them while you still can before they’re in too deep. They (teens) turn toward gang life in search of the love they need from their family. Or they want to fit in and be cool.

To all the gangbangers who think you’re cool and being a gangster, get away from it while you still can. It may be fun at the moment, but it’s not when you get caught and you have to spend the rest of your life behind bars. There’s better things to do in life than hang around all day frying your brain from all the drugs and alcohol. Trust me, when you’re behind bars thinking about what you did, you’ll be missing your family the most. You think your homeboys are going to be there for you? Well, let me tell you this … they’re not! I guarantee you that the only people who are actually willing to change places with you are your parents. Your real family. Do you think your homeboys want to do time for you? Hell, no!

I hope this letter helps some people out there. I just want to make a contribution to society before I get locked up in the dungeon forever. This is to show you not all gangbangers are evil and cruel. Life is short. Live it smart, not stupid. Now I can finally answer the question I ask myself, “Was it all worth it?” The money, the girls and all the material things go faster than you think and could all be taken away with the snap of a finger from the split second of a decision you make. It’s not worth your life. — HOMESICK HOMEBOY

* * *

DEAR HOMESICK: You write well and your letter contains a powerful message. I’m printing it without editing. Let your experience be a warning to others. I hope from the sad circumstances of your life some other young person will realize that a gang is a poor substitute for a family and the path to success does not stop at the street corner.

If a troubled young person is in school, he or she should talk to a counselor. If there is a church nearby, talk to a priest or minister. There are alternatives to joining a gang, but you need to reach out.

May the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding, that comes from faith in the resurrected Christ, touch and fill you.  Remember YOU may be the only contact the people in YOUR life will have with the Love of our Lord Jesus this day.

From Bystanders to Third Siders

Posted: May 12, 2011 in Awareness, Church in the Hood, Gang Families, Gangs
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An interesting article that was sent to me in response to one of my own  posts. I think you’ll find this article to be an interesting twist on gang intervention from the Third Side. Find the article at:

http://creatingreciprocity.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/from-bystanders-to-third-siders/

The Third Side Web page can be found at:

http://www.thirdside.org/

Gangs and At-Risk Kids

Posted: May 2, 2011 in Arts, Gang Families, Gang Rationales, Gangs, Get Involved, Incarceration, Informational, Inspiration, Intervention, Media, Mentorship, Music, Programs, Violence
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Gangs and At-Risk Kids provides a very informative and useful website for people wanting to know more about gangs, what they are, how kids get involved and the consequences of involvement.  For more on the website go to:

http://gangsandkids.com/

And don’t forget to look at some poignant poetry and stories from those affected by gang life at:

http://gangsandkids.com/gstory.html

Other links can be found at:

http://gangsandkids.com/glinks.html

Malachi Dads and the Incarcerated Prisoner

Posted: February 28, 2011 in Bible, Education, Forgiveness, Gang Families, Gangs, Gangs and God, Housing, Incarceration, Intervention, Jobs, Organizations
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More than 1.7 million children across the USA have a parent in U.S. prisons, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The number of children with a father in prison grew by 77% from 1991 through mid-2007. And those children are two to three more times likely to wind up behind bars themselves, says Christopher Wildeman, a University of Michigan sociologist who has studied the effects of imprisoned parents.

To try to snap that trend, Angola and other prisons across the country sponsor two programs aimed at reconnecting prison dads with their children: Returning Hearts, a day-long carnival-like celebration where inmates spend eight hours with their kids, and Malachi Dads, a year-long training session that uses Bible passages to help improve inmates’ parenting skills. To find out more, see the links below:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-06-17-prison-dads_N.htm?csp=34news

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/summer/12.13.html

http://www.pfi.org/cot/prison/offender/spiritual-care/lifeline-malachi-dads-awana-usa/?searchterm=None

http://awanalifeline.org/

Gang Talk Channel: Raza Killing Raza

Posted: February 1, 2011 in Gang Families, Gangs, Gangs and God, Get Involved, Getting Out, Intervention, Personal Stories, Video and TV, Violence
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Donnie Sebreros talks on anger and gang life in the Mexican Community:

http://www.streetgangstyle.com/street_gangs/gang-ministries/gang-video/

For more shows and interviews on the Gang Talk Channel go to:

http://www.gangtalkchannel.com/

The G’sus Nation

Posted: December 31, 2010 in Evangelism, Gang Addiction, Gang Families, Gangs, Gangs and God, Get Involved, Inspiration, Intervention, Neighborhoods, Ron's Thoughts
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the G’sus Nation is a community of believers drawn from gangs and the gangster lifestyle. Those who make up the G’sus Nation come from as every gang, ethnicity, and nationality. What they have in common is Jesus, the saviour of the world.  It is a group of men and women who are transformed (not perfect) by the act of love  that took Jesus to the cross to take the blame for our own broken and messed up lives. This is a Nation that is grateful to the one who took on himself the great “violation” of the cross for our violence and addictions, but one who also walks with us through our pain, hopelessness, and shame. The G’sus Nation is a living “church in the hood” where believers are “born again” into a new life of hope and grace. It is a community of believers who take the Gospel of Christ to every hood and every city in obedience to Christ’s great commission to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19). Our mission field is found in the neighborhoods of Chicago where gangs rule and gang life have stolen the promise of so many young men and women. The G’sus Nation is composed of young men and women who have experienced God’s grace, gangsters who follow Jesus instead of the mob. That’s not easy because other nations want to keep you down and hold you back. They lock you in chains and violate you in every way imaginable. Jesus breaks those chains and gives you freedom by being violated on the cross for you. Jesus not only makes you free, but he makes you one in the G’sus Nation. Taking a little liberty with what Paul the Apostle wrote, we learn that:

  Here (in Christ) there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, (and we might add, no Latin Kings or Latin Disciples, no Vice Lords or Gangster Disciples, no Folks and no People; no Bloods and no Crips), but Christ is all, and is in all.

                                                                                                   ~Colossians 3:11

We who have committed our lives to Christ are truly one in the Spirit. God has called us to take the message of grace and forgiveness to our brothers in the hood. It’s a big task, and dangerous, but “if God is for us, who can stand against us!” Join the G’sus Nation. Jesus wants you! Pray and ask God where he wants you to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will lead as he builds the G’sus Nation through you.

Let me know if you want to learn more.

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