A Way Out

A former gang member turns role model

For his own safety and that of his family, Sean cannot be identified. After almost four years, the 17-year-old has decided to leave gang life behind.

"I got sick of being in and out of jail and losing friends and girlfriends that were really good in my life," says the soft-spoken teen. "While being in a gang, I got almost beaten to death, shot at, and spent almost two years of my teenage life in jail."

"And now I have a lot of lifetime enemies."

Still, Sean is willing to risk retribution from his own and rival gangs if it prevents others from making the same mistakes he did. "I'm sharing my story because this life is not worth it in the end," Sean says. "You are not going to end up anywhere farther than jail, dead, or stuck looking over your shoulder, watching out for your family's safety and your own."

Sean spoke to a group of community members during a free information session on gangs and drugs at Elwick Village Centre - a United Way agency partner. Elwick offers families in the surrounding neighbourhood a chance to connect with one another to identify and solve common issues such as safety, violence and isolation. The centre also operates a community kitchen, clothing exchange and community cupboard.

"In the past two years, there have been so many deaths related to gang violence or drug overdoses," says event organizer Laurie Favell-Mowat, Executive Director at Elwick Village. "We thought we'd get a few people together who've actually been there, done that, got the T-shirt and lived to tell about it."

Sean says gangs are a big problem in Winnipeg. Asked to estimate the number of gang-involved youth in the city under the age of 18, he says simply, "too many." Author/researcher Michael Chettleburgh says the number of young men in gangs has climbed to over 3000 in Winnipeg.

Sean's own involvement began with a search for a male role model. "Growing up, there was no permanent father figure around," he says. "I moved around from home to home, changed schools a lot." In gang life he found a sense of belonging.

"When children don't receive the support and guidance they need to make healthy choices, the entire community is affected - directly or indirectly," says Richard Irish, Incoming Chair of United Way's Community Investment Committee - a group of volunteers that ensures donations to United Way are having the greatest impact. "Positive role models can make a huge difference in a young person's life."

Through United Way supported after-school and mentorship programs, and community resource centres like Elwick Village, young people like Sean are able to share their stories and learn to become role models themselves.

Sean plans to return to school and graduate. He would like to work as a welder, although he admits he's a bit of a whiz when it comes to electronics. In the meantime, he's happy to be getting back on track toward a brighter future, allowing others to share in his journey