I grew up my whole life in Fresno.
The first time I got in trouble was freshman year. I had like 40 Sharpies in my backpack. The principal saw and put me in the opportunity class, for problem kids. That is when it all changed.
When I was put in that classroom, I was in there with the worst kids in school, and after that, it was just all bad.
The next time I got in trouble, me and my friend were right here in Easton, right here at the school (Washington Union High School). I had just bought 20 spray cans from Wal-Mart. That same night, me and him just hit up all around Easton. We were running from the cops, we were hiding out and then about five minutes later they caught us.
I was 16. That’s the first time I got in trouble with the law at all. Before that, I was doing good.
I actually heard about VORP (Victim Offender Reconciliation Program) before that. I felt bad for hitting up this taco shop up, for tagging it. I went over there myself and I apologized.
VORP came down and I had a one-on-one interview with them. I signed a contract saying what I would do to help out the situation. That was never on my record because I went over there myself. That was the first time I met VORP and I think they’re a pretty good program.
It’s actually pretty simple, just a couple steps. You go with your family, a couple family members, the first time. You go down there, and meet with the victim.
Basically what you do is you apologize to the victim. They have you talk with them and sign a contract and help them out, the victim. That’s about it.
[pullquote_right]When I’m cleaning up other people’s graffiti, I just shake my head: “Why are you really doing this still?” It just gets old.[/pullquote_right]They had me clean up the school for them. If anybody else vandalizes the school, I just clean it up. It actually feels good, because now I know I’m helping out. I felt bad for my decisions. When I’m cleaning up other people’s graffiti, I just shake my head: “Why are you really doing this still?” It just gets old.
All the hurt I put on my family, and all this, it’s not really worth it. It’s just a waste of time and a waste of life. I would feel bad, you know, letting my brothers know it’s OK to do this. That’s the only reason I’m doing all this, because I’m showing them a better way, being a better role model. I am the older brother, and I’m being responsible for my decisions.
John Alex Pena says he’s stayed out of trouble since completing the VORP restorative justice program. He’s studying for his drivers license test and wants to find a job and attend adult school.
In 2006, over 25 youth began participating in weekly after-school writing workshops where they congregated in the hallway of a two-story building in West Fresno and learned the essentials of creating media and telling their stories. The group evolved over the next five years and is now proudly recognized as The kNOw Youth Media.
Through our program, we create opportunities for our youth participants, who in turn create long-term positive change in their communities. Our approach weaves youth development and youth media innovation to produce our biannual youth publication, multimedia projects, and community forums.
The kNOw began as a project of New America Media, which was the country’s first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. In 2018 The kNOw became a project of Youth Leadership Institute.
