Ex-gang member finds true calling

PHARR — Ramon Escobedo got tired of stealing. Of using drugs. Of fighting.

"You've gotta go from the barrio to heaven and beyond," Escobedo said. "You've gotta make things happen for yourself."

The former gang member gave up gang life when he was 17, now in his mid-30s and dedicating his days to keeping youngsters from following the same path he did at their age.

He does this by managing Atrevete Youth Services, which provides guidance for educators, parents and students through presentations and curriculum programs.

Escobedo admits that working with at-risk youth is often a frustrating task because many of them come from low-income or single-parent households. Sometimes parents even pressure their children into following their footsteps by joining their gang. And many of the kids have drug and anger management issues.

"(The kids are) usually very negative," Escobedo said. "They'll tell you they're sleepy or they're tired when you try to talk to them."

But with enough attention, they can come around.

"I try having something nice and relaxing, very interactive with them," said Escobedo, who often holds discussions with active gang members. "You make them laugh, they have a good time by the time they know it."

Escobedo also holds information sessions for parents and educators, many of whom don't know gang terminology or are often intimidated by working with hostile youth. He said it helps that he can "put on (his) gangster hat" for the confused adults.

Although it can be tempting to give up on the many kids who relapse into gang activity, Escobedo believes everyone always deserves the opportunity to leave a gang if he or she tries.

"Everyone's always calling these kids bad apples, saying they're going to spoil the rest of the bunch," he said. "But we're not apples. We're human beings."

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Ana Ley coves law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.