80%
of gang members are dropouts.
45%
of high schools have gang members in their school
Teacher/Student rapport
is critical for gang intervention
Francisco’s Story
Francisco grew up in a bad neighborhood controlled by gangs and drug dealers. He got into trouble often and was sentenced to California Youth Authority at a young age. He needed a change.
Learn4Life graduate Francisco Nunez grew up in a bad neighborhood controlled by gangs and drug dealers. He didn’t grow up with a Mom or a father figure and was raised in the Foster system. At the age of 10, he got into gangs because they showed him love; it was the only family he knew. He got into trouble often and was sentenced to California Youth Authority (CYA) at a very young age where he spent three years. He rarely went to school.
All these things took a toll on him. While at CYA, he used the time to evaluate his life and figure out how he wanted to change his story. He heard about Learn4Life, enrolled and dedicated himself to his studies by attending school every day from 8 am – 6 pm.
“My advice to adults and teenagers, regardless of age or gender, please stay in school. Stay away from drugs and gangs. Education is the key aspect of life and success.”
Learn4Life taught him the importance of his education and expanding his horizons. Because of the support system Learn4Life offers, he was successful and graduated in 2017. Fernando is on track to get an Associate of Arts degree in psychology and Bachelor of Arts degree in child psychology and he plans to work in a youth home to help other Foster youth. Learn4Life helped him get a college scholarship and employment.