This page was created by Dianne Sanchez Shumway.
PBS SoCal: Local Hero
Excerpt:
- Internationally recognized peacemaker and co-founder of Homies Unidos in Los Angeles where he has developed and implemented innovative violence prevention and intervention programs since 1998 and has also led the organization as Executive Director since 2006.
- The mission of Homies Unidos is to work to end violence and promote peace in Central American communities through gang prevention, the promotion of human rights in immigrant communities and the empowerment of youth and families in El Salvador and Los Angeles to achieve their full potential in a just, safe and healthy society.
- Migrated as child to L.A. at the end of the 1970s during the height of military repression in El Salvador. After being involved in gangs and serving time in state prison, deported to El Salvador where he met the founder of Homies Unidos, Magdaleno Rose Avila, and others striving for social change and committed to turn his life around and help other youth to do the same.
- Advocate for comprehensive intervention strategies, immigration reform and Black-Brown unity – promoting racial tolerance and cultural understanding as a form of violence prevention.
- Outspoken community leader, committed to disenfranchised youth and their families in the Latino and largely Central American communities of the Pico Union, Westlake and Koreatown areas of Los Angeles.
- Has consulted with academics, journalists, filmmakers, elected officials, non-profit agencies and advocates at local, national and transnational levels to address youth violence prevention and intervention Awards include the Drum Major Award from the Martin Luther King Legacy Association, the Lottie Wexler Award, the AGAPE Award and others.
