TEDxSantaCruz: Gina Castaneda - Uniting Rival Teen Gang Members Through Soccer

Summary

The speaker shares their journey of overcoming a childhood marked by gangs, drugs, and violence, emphasizing the importance of love, identity, and support. Despite facing homelessness and family struggles, they found hope in soccer and mentorship. As a juvenile probation officer, they founded the AA Soccer Program, which not only teaches soccer skills but also life skills and provides a supportive community for at-risk youth. The program has shown significant success, decreasing recidivism rates and fostering resilience among participants, demonstrating that these youth are capable of transformation and empowerment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker grew up surrounded by gangs, drugs, and violence, with family members involved in criminal activities.
• 😀 Despite a difficult upbringing, the speaker created a personal list of values they desired, such as love, trust, and loyalty.
• 😀 The speaker experienced homelessness at a young age but received support from a compassionate gang member, which provided a sense of hope.
• 😀 The speaker's stepfather, an immigrant and founder of a local soccer league, played a crucial role in instilling values and a passion for soccer.
• 😀 Soccer became a transformative force in the speaker's life, helping them to rise above their challenges and become an All-Star player.
• 😀 The speaker currently works as a juvenile probation officer, focusing on high-risk, gang-involved youth to help them change their behaviors.
• 😀 The AA soccer program was initiated by the speaker to provide a constructive outlet for at-risk youth, promoting engagement in positive activities.
• 😀 The program emphasizes mentorship, life skills, and community support, aiming to reduce recidivism and promote personal development among participants.
• 😀 The AA soccer team fosters unity among diverse youth, including rival gang members, promoting respect and cooperation on and off the field.
• 😀 The program has seen measurable success, including a reduction in incarceration rates and an increase in graduation rates among participants.

Q & A

What were the major challenges faced by the speaker during their childhood?

The speaker faced challenges including homelessness, violence, drug addiction in the family, and experiences with gangs.

How did the speaker's mother influence their upbringing?

The speaker's mother was an original gang member who struggled with addiction, which created a tumultuous environment for the speaker and their siblings.

What significant event occurred when the speaker was 11 years old?

At the age of 11, the speaker became homeless for the first time.

How did a gang member assist the speaker during a difficult time?

A gang member recognized the speaker while they were alone and scared, providing them with food, money, and a safe place to stay, demonstrating unexpected kindness.

What list did the speaker create for themselves, and what did it represent?

The speaker created a list of values including love, identity, affiliation, trust, and respect, representing what they desired from a supportive community or family.

What role did soccer play in the speaker's life?

Soccer provided the speaker with a sense of purpose, community, and support, helping them to overcome their struggles and ultimately become an All-Star player.

What initiative did the speaker start for at-risk youth?

The speaker started the AA soccer program to provide mentorship, life skills, and a supportive environment for at-risk youth involved with gangs.

What outcomes has the AA soccer program achieved?

The program has decreased recidivism rates, improved graduation rates, and fostered positive interactions among youth from rival gangs.

How does the speaker view the youth involved in gangs?

The speaker believes that these youths are not inherently bad but are products of their environment who require support and belief in their potential.

What is the vision for the future of the soccer program?

The vision includes expanding the program into an academy that integrates academics, health education, mentorship, and job readiness alongside soccer.