Antelope Valley Press

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press June 27, 2000

By JOANNA PARSONS
Valley Press Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Dressed in a tailored gray business suit, David told attentive youngsters about the days he wore $1,000 suits at age 15 and pulled off $100,000 illegal jobs.

"My dad did racketeering," said the ex-convict. "I wanted to be like him."

David did 12 1/2 years in prison for his crimes. He's been out for more than three years and now owns a wireless communications business.

David was among a group of parolees, mostly dressed in business attire, who gathered at the Palmdale Cultural Center recently to talk to youths of various ages.

The parolees brought a significant message to their youthful audience: you can accomplish your dreams, so don't make bad choices and end up in the same place we did.

They talked to the youths as part of a community outreach project called Visions of Hope.

The project features ex-convicts who have made radical life changes. They share their negative experiences with at-risk youths, and the emphasis of their message is how to avoid a negative lifestyle and instead focus on achieving their dreams.

Filled with pizza and beverages, the audience listened with awe as parolees like Alvin and Leco relived their former criminal lives.

"I was trying to be cool for the women," said Leco, 36, who had been in and out of prison at one time. "That's why I became a gangster."

Alvin, 33, said he did 11 1/2 years, some of it in the highest form of prison lockup, known as Level 4.

Ex-cons painted a not-so-pleasant picture of prison life.

"As soon as you get in jail, homie-ism goes out the door," said Leco, dispelling the idea that "homeboys" in a gang have someone always at their backs no matter what.

"You think you're running things out there; you don't run nothing in prison," said Tanya, who was paroled in September. She pointed out the reality of prison brutality, such as prison newcomers, regardless of sex, being assaulted.

Parolees then encouraged the audience to find alternatives to bad choices and to take the right path, even if it's hard.

"Listen to what your parents tell you," Tanya advised.

"You can learn from the mistakes you did," David reassured. He also urged the audience to cultivate their talents: "You can become anybody."

The mastermind behind Visions of Hope is Dean Crenshaw, who has worked for the California Department of Corrections for 20 years.

In 1995, Crenshaw was a spokesman and warden's administrative assistant for the California State Prison Los Angeles County, Lancaster, when community members requested inmates speak to youths about their criminal experience.

The ongoing program, called "Stay on the Streets," lead Crenshaw to create Visions of Hope in 1997 after youths questioned whether inmates who promised to make positive changes once they were out actually followed through on them.

Crenshaw found individuals who were making successful parole adjustments, and the parolees have since spoken to youngsters at local schools, drug/alcohol diversion classes and the United Community Action Network.

"It has a tremendous impact on the parents and the kids," observed U-CAN executive director Billy Pricer.

There are 20 parolees in the program. They must demonstrate that they are making good adjustments and living a positive, favorable lifestyle. Some ex-cons in the program have completed their parole successfully, and many, like David and Tanya, have their own businesses. Tanya's is a transportation business.

"It gives me a sense of purpose," said 37-year-old Richard, who did time for armed robbery. "It helps me to stay on top with myself."

The program has succeeded among the youths as well.

"What I hear most (from youths) is, 'I can't get it out of my mind,' " Pricer said, "particularly the idea of a man coming in (prison) and becoming somebody's 'lady.' "

Dean A. Henderson, Palmdale planning commissioner, has seen the necessity of the program by the responses they get from adults who learn about it.

"We were at the (Palmdale) Cultural Center," said Henderson, who is looking for a permanent location to house Visions of Hope, "and this lady said, 'Hey I've been looking for a program like this. I have a 12-year-old whom I can't control.' "

For now, Vision of Hope's headquarters is the Palmdale Cultural Center, where the public can hear the parolees every other week. Parolees will continue to travel to various locations to speak to youths as well.

For more information, contact Dean Crenshaw at (661) 274-4155, Ext. 212, or visit the Visions of Hope Web site at www.visionsofhope.org.

Copyright© Dean Henderson 2001. All rights reserved.