Staying in the Game - Keeping Kids In School and Out of Gangs

“My brother got messed up with drugs. He almost died,” says Liliana, a 10-year old student from Orange County. “But G.R.I.P. helps me not do that. It helps me stay in school.” Liliana is a straight-A student with perfect attendance and a bright future. And she has the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership to thank for her achievements.

Children in Grades 4 to 6 are most at risk for being lured into gangs. That’s why Saddleback Church, the Orange County District Attorney’s office, the OC Sheriff’s Department, and Orange County School District have teamed up to create G.R.I.P. The program targets these at-risk kids and gives them positive rewards for staying in school and earning high grades.

“We see kids killing kids, dying of gang crimes, and 12-year-olds being gang raped,” says Tracy Rinauro, the Assistant District Attorney in charge of G.R.I.P. “This program partners with kids to keep them away from those gangs.” Rinauro believes every child deserves food, clothing, shelter, and the chance to stay in school.

As part of this positive reinforcement, G.R.I.P. invited 1,700 at-risk students to a special event at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday, May 19. The children earned their ticket to the event by maintaining perfect attendance and high grades. As a reward for being committed to their schooling, the students received VIP treatment including watching the Angel’s batting practice and having a special Q&A time with manager Mike Scioscia, outfielder and devoted Christian Josh Hamilton, and pitcher Hector Santiago.

Many of the students had never been to a live sporting event, so this was a big day. Their faces lit up with joy as their baseball heroes stood mere feet away from them.

“Congratulations on making good choices,” Scioscia said to the students. “You understand how important it is to be a good person. And the [Angels athletes] here are an example of what happens when you make good choices.”

Next, pitcher Hector Santiago, who grew up in the inner city of New Jersey, addressed the kids. “I came from the inner city, just like many of you. I want to tell you guys to stay out of trouble, stay in school, finish well. This will pay off.” Santiago knows all too well what can happen when a teen strays to the wrong path. “One of my best friends made bad choices and now he’s in jail,” said Santiago. “We grew up playing baseball together, but now I will never play baseball with him again.”

Josh Hamilton then addressed the crowd, telling the students that faith in Jesus is the way for them to stay on the right path. His own journey was anything but smooth—after spending time with the wrong crowd, he became ensnared in drugs and alcohol to the point where the Angels were forced to suspend him from the game. “I was suspended from this team for drugs and alcohol for three and half years,” said Hamilton. “But God cleared my head and opened my heart.” He closed his talk by quoting James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

It took hundreds of probation officers, investigators, and Saddleback volunteers to chaperone the event. An outpouring of love and care for kids who otherwise might have ended up in gangs.

One such officer was R.J. Young and his now-famous partner, Bruno. Bruno is a K-9 officer who was recently hurt in the line of fire. “Eight weeks ago, Bruno was hurt really bad,” said Young, his partner of eight years. “He was shot in the face by a bad guy. That bullet was meant for me or one of the other officers. Bruno saved our lives.” Bruno is now fully recovered from his wounds, and Young said his story is one the kids can learn from. “He shows us that you can always make it through no matter what life throws at you.

Students in the G.R.I.P. program are hand-picked by school leaders. Students like Liliana, whose brother got involved in drugs and gangs, putting her at greater risk to also get ensnared into a downward spiral. But now, Liliana says that she will continue to do well in school and  go on to college. “Josh Hamilton said that, to be happy, I need to stay in school,” recalls Liliana. “And that’s what I’m going to do.”

To learn how you can get involved with GRIP, click here.