What our youth are saying.

  • “I grew up thinking that the streets were my only option. I had older guys around me who made fast money, and I wanted the same thing. Then I got arrested, and I realized how alone I really was. GNG gave me a different path. The coaches, the speakers, and the other youth in the program helped me see that I don’t have to go down that road. Now, I’m working on getting my GED and staying out of trouble.”

    — GNG Participant

  • “I used to be that kid who thought nothing mattered. I didn’t care about school, my family, or my future. GNG showed me that I was only hurting myself. Now, I have goals. I want to be a trainer one day and help other kids like me. I never thought I’d say this, but I actually feel hopeful about my future.”

    — GNG Participant

  • "I had friends who told me that joining a gang would give me ‘brothers’—a family that would always have my back. But what they didn’t tell me is that when you get locked up or need real help, those ‘brothers’ disappear. GNG gave me something real. The people here actually care about me, and they’ve never asked me to do anything dangerous or illegal to prove myself.”

    — GNG Participant

  • “My temper used to control me. I got into fights at school, at home, even with my own friends. The first time I hit the bag in a GNG boxing session, I realized I had never had a healthy way to let my anger out. Now, when I feel like I’m about to snap, I take a step back, breathe, and think before I act. That’s something I never thought I’d be able to do.”

    — GNG Participant

  • “Before I joined GNG, I was carrying a knife everywhere I went. I thought I needed it to be safe. I learned from the speakers that carrying a weapon only puts you at more risk. The guys who came in and shared their stories of prison and gang life made me realize that I was heading in the same direction. I don’t want to be another statistic. Now, I walk away from situations instead of putting myself in danger.”

    — GNG Participant

  • "Before GNG, I had no confidence in myself. Boxing taught me discipline, and the life skills sessions gave me the tools to make better choices. I used to feel invisible, but here, I feel seen and heard. GNG gave me the confidence to stand up for myself."

    — GNG Participant