Add Your Comment · Sep 28, 2009 - 12:50 pm

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Robert Johnson, a Watts native, was thrust into a world of violence before he was old enough to drive. At a young age his father, who Robert referred to as his family’s “only support”, passed away. Robert found himself back in the care of his mother, who had been fighting a serious drug addiction since before he was born. “After losing him, I quit playing sports, quit caring about school, got bored and went into the streets.” Says Robert.

The next few years would be plagued with gang violence, drug use, and trips in and out of juvenile detention. It was during his last and longest stay (one year) that Robert got a preview of what his future had in store for him if he stayed on the same path. He received notification that his best friend had been murdered in gang related violence, “I knew I’d end up dead like him or in prison like my cousin.”

Once released, Robert’s Aunt, a local schoolteacher, informed him about the work placement programs A Better LA and CURE were operating. Robert met with Mark Calloway, ABLA and CURE Job and Career Developer, who quickly placed him with the forestry program to assist with the aftermath of the brush fires that plague Southern California. This provided the financial stability that Robert needed.

These days, a short conversation with Robert reveals his new found outlook on his future, “This has put me back on track, if (ABLA) could help me then I can come from this and help pull others out too.” He recently enrolled to take college courses locally in order to study criminal justice. Robert is also taking a child development class to prepare him for a baby he has coming in September, as he put it, “I’m going to be a family man now.”

- Interviewed by ABLA volunteer Ryan Van Stone