I’ve changed because I do not do most of the things I used to do. Thanks to the help of Ms. Tracey and Jermaine I’ve been making positive choices. I no longer hang around gang members. I no longer break the law. I also look at life in a different way.
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I plan to keep doing good and get off of probation and start working to get off the street. The gang life is not worth it ‘cuz the only way you can go is to jail or grave yard. (I learned) how to control my anger when I get mad, that the Army is a good choice to go for the money, that my freedom is better than being locked up.
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I learned some valuable life skills from this gang intervention class. I learned how to control my anger in an innovating and positive manner. I look at obstacles as opportunities now. I would just like to say thank you to Ms. Tracey and Mr. Jermaine for all the help they have given me. Now I have a summer job and I’m back in church.
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Being in the program has inspired me to do good in many ways. For example, I didn’t think my life was going to take any right turns until I got inspired by Ms. Tracey and Mr. Jermaine. The program has helped me by teaching me that the streets isn’t the only way to survive. Because at one point the only things I knew was the streets. This program also made me think twice about becoming the gangsta I could’ve been.
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This group helped me out with a lot of things in my life. It helped me start planning ahead for my future. And that if you wanna make a change you should start right then instead of just talking about it. Thanks to this group I know what I wanna do with my life. It helps me realize that gangs don’t do anything for you but bring you down in life. Also this group helped me learn how to express my feelings to others in a positive way.
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After attending this group I sat down and thought about what I got out of the class. This group made me realize that it’s not worth getting in trouble, especially when you do stupid things. Some times when we do things that we think are funny, may have a much more serious outcome than just laughter. I learned that gangs are no good for you. The things that gangs do are get you in trouble, help you end up in jail or end up dead. I also learned that I need to control my anger and think before I act. I have also learned that I need to think about the things that I do in life and the consequences that may come with my actions.
Testimonial - Family
I wanted to express my gratitude for the following counselors; Jennifer Gundrum, Sharla Slupski and Tracey Williams.
My daughter, her dad, and I attended the course, we found it very interactive. The counselors were very patient with us, they did not get off track even when a kid may have been acting out. The combination of written material, visual (board), role-play kept us dialed in. Their voice tones and eye contact really showed the kids that they were there to help.
We learned to think our anger through and decide how we want to resolve it before we take action. We learned how to recognize how our bodies react when we are getting angry. This course has allowed my daughter to express her feelings to me. In the past all I got was anger, now she talks to me, and now I am a better listener.
I recognize this course as worthwhile for our community.
Submitted by family that participated in an Aggression Replacement Training Class