Community aims to stop minority males from joining gangs
Public speakers took to the podium at the Coachella City Hall chambers to address members of a Assembly select committee, looking for ways to improve the lives of African-American and Latino young men across the state.
These hearings are designed to find ways to integrate young men who are at risk of joining gangs and getting them to walk a better path.
“Opportunities of employment, opportunities of educational achievement, opportunities to be part of a community irrespective having maybe made a mistake in the past,” said Assembley member Eduardo Garcia, a Democrat.
One of the local programs brought up at the meeting was the Urban Conservation Corp. This organization is helping 41 young, at-risk men from the desert learn land management skills.
“School ain’t for everyone. You need different programs because some kids are good at different things,” said Kobe Castillo of Indio.
After the meeting, people marched from City Hall to the Boys and Girls Club of Coachella.
This hearing is part of a series of hearings that are being held in multiple cities around the state. The select committee will then try to present possible legislation to the state assembly.
