Add Your Comment · Apr 11, 2011 - 6:43 pm

Help Us Get The Word Out. Share

The World Bank has invited A Better LA to enter their global discussion on conflict. We have submitted a number of responses to the website and have been featured on their homepage! Please enjoy another blog post, created by USC student blogger, Janet Edbrooke.

As a young man, former Los Angeles gang member Paul Carrillo struggled through the hardships that we are trying so hard to prevent for our youth today. After seeing some of the worst aspects of conflict, he saw the light and decided to make a change. Paul has turned his life around completely, and he is now working to ensure as many kids as possible avoid his former situation. Paul spoke to us about what the reality of conflict was in his life, and what he views as the solution for change.

Q: Describe the conflict in your life before you decided to make a change.
A: I was a Los Angeles Gang member. I joined at 15 years old and was in a leadership role by the age of 19. I started my own faction within the gang. I recruited heavily and organized much of the gang’s operations.

Q: What would you say was your absolute low point?
I had just beaten a murder case, my girlfriend was pregnant, my close friend was murdered, and I was back in jail for assault with a deadly weapon.

Q: When did you realize you needed to change? What was your inspiration to do so?
I never wanted my children to be raised how I was – around gangs, drugs, abuse, violence, etc. My mother was my main example for change, and the birth of my daughter and my relationship with my step-son were my reasons to change.

Q: How did you make that change a reality?
A: I changed my mentality and focused on hard work, dedication and, most importantly, putting my life and trust in God’s hands.

Q: Could you describe the positive things you’re doing with your life now?
A: I’m still in school, plus I’m a youth counselor, gang intervention worker, and addiction counselor. I have worked with kids involved with gangs for 10 years. I’ve worked with kids at schools, juvenile halls, hospitals, and the streets of LA. I have my own non-profit now called Southern California Crossroads, and we do gang counseling at Lennox Middle School. We also do a lot of work with A Better LA.

Q: What sort of change have you seen in your community as a result of what you do?
A: Well it is a roller coaster ride. The issues of violence and drugs are so enormous throughout our country that a person like me can feel as if my work is not having a major impact. However, when I see the results of my work in the individuals that I have assisted, I am reassured that my work does count, and is making a difference. In this line of work you have to be ready to take the good with the bad. There are many ups and downs. Some people will change, some will not.

Q: Why do you think grassroots efforts like yours are so effective?
A: We can reach the kids that outsiders cannot. The kids love and respect people who are from their home town, so it is easier for us to gain their trust

Please continue to view and vote for our posts at www.conflictconvo.com. The top contributors will be invited to attend the final Conflict Convo with the World Bank in Washington D.C.