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Monday, March 15, 2010
WEST High in Sioux City, Iowa
WEST HIGH SCHOOL IN SIOUX CITY, IOWA HAS IT GOING ON!!!Last week I was invited to speak with a group of faculty members at West High School in Sioux City, Iowa.
I was impressed with the sincerity of teachers who go out of their way to ensure that literally no child is left behind.
These teachers meet each week to discuss WHAT ELSE THEY CAN DO for each child that is enrolled in their school. With budget cuts hitting them left and right they have often times reached into a "donation bucket" that they created amongst themselves to fill the too often "extra needs" of children. If its tennis shoes for a child who needs them or maybe a bus pass, these teachers truly care about the children that they have been entrusted with.
They show up early to meet to discuss the children and their needs and all seem to be dedicated - it was very evident that they don't just show up to "go to work" they were sincere.
As someone who has met a numerous amount of teachers in my line of work, that is impressive.
In addition to the caring staff, West High has programming available to guarantee that they fill whatever needs are necessary in their school childrens world. They are constantly seeking new programs and services to offer to these children. They dont seek out "re-creating" others programs, they want to align themselves with what exist.
These teachers have their hands full, as do most schools with over flowing classes, budget cuts etc. however they wanted to volunteer their "free time" so that they could ensure that the Watchful Eye programming could be offered at their school for their kids.
Absolutely - without a doubt - IMPRESSIVE!!!
Sioux City, Iowa school administration - you have a right to be VERY PROUD of your schools and the children that you are producing from them! I have been to WEST MIDDLE & WEST HIGH now and I am without a shadow of a doubt very impressed! These schools should be role models for schools all over the country.
I have attached a link if you would like to check them out.
Major kudos to all of you at WEST HIGH!!!
Saturday, March 06, 2010
NEW MEDIA SPONSORS FOR WEF
We want to introduce you to our new Media sponsors KMEG14, KPTH44, and AZTECA AMERICA!
We are extremely proud to be under their sponsorship and hope all of our readers will go to their site to keep up with what is going on as well, nationally, locally and worldwide.
Also on their website is a link for Siouxlands Most Wanted!
Here is a link
These sponsors are all online so you can watch all three online at your convenience.
Just go to their main page at www.kmeg.com
This is the place to go when you want MORE THAN JUST THE NEWS!!!
Friday, February 12, 2010
SEX OFFENDERS PREDATORS PARKS
Which of These Words Don't Belong?
Sex Offenders, Predators, Parks.....
Here is a letter that was sent to the Senators on the Nebraska Judiciary Committee just a few days ago when it was discovered that they had felt it best to wait a year or so on a law labled LB265 which was introduced by Senator Robert Giese.
I would like to ask all of you to review the Committee's link - review the blogs and articles that each Senator writes and then please send them a letter in support of the bill LB265
Here is the letter that I wrote on behalf of the Watchful Eye Foundation:
WHICH OF THESE WORDS DON'T BELONG TOGETHER:
SEX PREDATORS CHILDREN PARKS
This letter is in regards to the proposed bill LB265 by Senator Robert Giese.
I understand that there was some hesitance in regards to pushing this through and viewed as a "what will be next issue" ......I would think that as voices for the citizens in Nebraska it would be best to view this as " What Else Can We Do"....
Not only in the State of Nebraska but worldwide we have suffered as communities in the lack of protection laws that are necessary to protect the most innocent species on earth - our Nations children.
To hold off on such a pertinent bill is simply not something that I nor others throughout Nebraska feel is acceptable....especially when it is a bill that protects a place that vulnerable children go to run and play and to just be innocent children. That is what I think when hear the word park. I do not think about sexual predators.But they are there camping and sitting on park benches next to the playground equipment or by the pool, seeking out their next victim. By holding off on this bill we are putting children at stake. When municipals spend so much funding on parks it is to attract the families and children - not sexual predators who are stalking their next victim.
As Senators representing the people who requested you to be their voice, to make the proper choices for our districts this responsibility has been given to you by those that trusted you enough to vote you into office. We the people, who you represent, are asking that you act upon this in a positive and timely manner so as to ensure Nebraskans that not only as their Senator's but as their voices, you will do whatever it takes to protect our children.
To sit back and do nothing is just wrong. All of you have children in your lives. If your child were at the park and was approached by a sex predator and pulled behind a group of trees and severely raped - you as parents, would be devastated.....now imagine that child and what they will be feeling....and the memory that has been forced upon them for the rest of their lives......all because it was thought best to hold off on a law that could have prevented sex predators from going into parks.
We have no choice Senators....we must be vigilant in the protection of our children. If we cannot count on you to help us with this we will feel as if you have let us down. Not only those who voted you into office but the children who you all state are your major priority.
Agreeing to the protection of children in any form does not in any way shape or form portray you as a soft sided Senator....it in fact portrays you as not only an individual who cares but also as a Senator who keeps their word about protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. Our children.
As Founder of the Watchful Eye Foundation it has been one of my goals to pursue changes in the sex offender laws. Nebraska has had numerous sex offender crimes and murders involving children. To be vigilant in improving our laws in Nebraska is not something that the voters will call you soft on.
Most people don't think about sex offenders being in parks a problem - however they are. In South Sioux City we had that very problem when registered sex offenders/predators were "camping" in Scenic Park and approached the swimming pool which is in the park, and began to flash their private parts to small children.
The people in Dakota County are on edge in particular when mentioning the words "sex offenders" as we had a 3 year child raped and sodomized and murdered by a man who came through her bedroom window last year. People are on edge. The quickest way to shut down a park is to allow it to sit empty and unused. That will happen I am afraid not only here in Dakota County but throughout Nebraska unless action is taken.
In Dakota County as well there has been an influx of offenders coming over across the bridge from Iowa. Out of 35 sex predators in South Sioux City, all but 6 are from Iowa. And that has been just since the new law went into effect January 1, 2010. Thirty five may seem like a small number however considering that all but one are classified as sexual predators, its a problem and a very frightening one at that.
If you look at Senator Giese's proposed bill LB265 as one that is to protect children, not one that is against predators then maybe that will convince you. I have faith in all of you that you will review this bill and move forward with it instead of pushing it back for another year. For the sake of our children in the state of Nebraska please act on this in a timely manner.
Sincerely,
SEX PREDATORS CHILDREN PARKS
This letter is in regards to the proposed bill LB265 by Senator Robert Giese.
I understand that there was some hesitance in regards to pushing this through and viewed as a "what will be next issue" ......I would think that as voices for the citizens in Nebraska it would be best to view this as " What Else Can We Do"....
Not only in the State of Nebraska but worldwide we have suffered as communities in the lack of protection laws that are necessary to protect the most innocent species on earth - our Nations children.
To hold off on such a pertinent bill is simply not something that I nor others throughout Nebraska feel is acceptable....especially when it is a bill that protects a place that vulnerable children go to run and play and to just be innocent children. That is what I think when hear the word park. I do not think about sexual predators.But they are there camping and sitting on park benches next to the playground equipment or by the pool, seeking out their next victim. By holding off on this bill we are putting children at stake. When municipals spend so much funding on parks it is to attract the families and children - not sexual predators who are stalking their next victim.
As Senators representing the people who requested you to be their voice, to make the proper choices for our districts this responsibility has been given to you by those that trusted you enough to vote you into office. We the people, who you represent, are asking that you act upon this in a positive and timely manner so as to ensure Nebraskans that not only as their Senator's but as their voices, you will do whatever it takes to protect our children.
To sit back and do nothing is just wrong. All of you have children in your lives. If your child were at the park and was approached by a sex predator and pulled behind a group of trees and severely raped - you as parents, would be devastated.....now imagine that child and what they will be feeling....and the memory that has been forced upon them for the rest of their lives......all because it was thought best to hold off on a law that could have prevented sex predators from going into parks.
We have no choice Senators....we must be vigilant in the protection of our children. If we cannot count on you to help us with this we will feel as if you have let us down. Not only those who voted you into office but the children who you all state are your major priority.
Agreeing to the protection of children in any form does not in any way shape or form portray you as a soft sided Senator....it in fact portrays you as not only an individual who cares but also as a Senator who keeps their word about protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. Our children.
As Founder of the Watchful Eye Foundation it has been one of my goals to pursue changes in the sex offender laws. Nebraska has had numerous sex offender crimes and murders involving children. To be vigilant in improving our laws in Nebraska is not something that the voters will call you soft on.
Most people don't think about sex offenders being in parks a problem - however they are. In South Sioux City we had that very problem when registered sex offenders/predators were "camping" in Scenic Park and approached the swimming pool which is in the park, and began to flash their private parts to small children.
The people in Dakota County are on edge in particular when mentioning the words "sex offenders" as we had a 3 year child raped and sodomized and murdered by a man who came through her bedroom window last year. People are on edge. The quickest way to shut down a park is to allow it to sit empty and unused. That will happen I am afraid not only here in Dakota County but throughout Nebraska unless action is taken.
In Dakota County as well there has been an influx of offenders coming over across the bridge from Iowa. Out of 35 sex predators in South Sioux City, all but 6 are from Iowa. And that has been just since the new law went into effect January 1, 2010. Thirty five may seem like a small number however considering that all but one are classified as sexual predators, its a problem and a very frightening one at that.
If you look at Senator Giese's proposed bill LB265 as one that is to protect children, not one that is against predators then maybe that will convince you. I have faith in all of you that you will review this bill and move forward with it instead of pushing it back for another year. For the sake of our children in the state of Nebraska please act on this in a timely manner.
Sincerely,
Susie Squires M.
Founder
Watchful Eye Foundation
Founder
Watchful Eye Foundation
Here are the NEBRASKA Senators email addresses so that you may send your own letters.
Phone: (402) 471-2622Address: Room 1103, State Capitol, Lincoln NE 68509
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Satellite Office Opening Soon!
The Watchful Eye Foundation will be opening a satellite office in Sioux City, Iowa
We are excited about our partnership as well with Life Line Services. We are looking for
help with the cost of a copier as well as paper. Monetary funds are great however if you
have a copier that can produce a number of copies relatively cheap let us know.
The Watchful Eye Foundation is a 501 c3 non profit. Receipts will be sent for you tax deduction.
'
We are excited about our partnership as well with Life Line Services. We are looking for
help with the cost of a copier as well as paper. Monetary funds are great however if you
have a copier that can produce a number of copies relatively cheap let us know.
The Watchful Eye Foundation is a 501 c3 non profit. Receipts will be sent for you tax deduction.
'
Thursday, January 14, 2010
PUBLIC SPEAKER
Susie Squires is a public speaker who educates and informs her audience. Susie is also the Founder of the Watchful Eye Foundation, an organization that is committed to protecting innocent children.
When asked about what makes her different from other public speakers Susie states....
Anyone can speak to a group of people. Anyone can influence others to believe in what they are doing. It takes however a different type of person who can actually speak from their heart a message that is so powerful and personal that others believe that you actually know them on a person to person level.
I wouldn't care to label myself as a motivational speaker however if I can make just one person in my audience change for just one day that is meaningful.
In this world we all have had our ups and downs - some more downs than ups....its what you do with the "ups" that can be a life changing experience.
The majority of people have not been handed life on a silver spoon. We have had to work and struggle for whatever material items we have. That in itself often makes the struggle all the more worth it.
Susie talks about sexual abuse, runaways, gangs and domestic violence. These are not things that you learn in school and most people would not care to have a degree in the "life learning" roles that she has been placed in so many times in her life.
The main gist of her speaking however is that the word survivor is one that we all know because somewhere deep inside each and everyone of us is a survivor.
We have all survived something traumatic in our lives. Often times you can turn that very trauma into something that will help others.
Susie is a skilled speaker who brings with her many tools of expertise in many areas. If you are interested in further information about booking Susie for your next speaking engagement regardless of the size of audience please contact via email at
contact@watchfuleyeusa.com
When asked about what makes her different from other public speakers Susie states....
Anyone can speak to a group of people. Anyone can influence others to believe in what they are doing. It takes however a different type of person who can actually speak from their heart a message that is so powerful and personal that others believe that you actually know them on a person to person level.
I wouldn't care to label myself as a motivational speaker however if I can make just one person in my audience change for just one day that is meaningful.
In this world we all have had our ups and downs - some more downs than ups....its what you do with the "ups" that can be a life changing experience.
The majority of people have not been handed life on a silver spoon. We have had to work and struggle for whatever material items we have. That in itself often makes the struggle all the more worth it.
Susie talks about sexual abuse, runaways, gangs and domestic violence. These are not things that you learn in school and most people would not care to have a degree in the "life learning" roles that she has been placed in so many times in her life.
The main gist of her speaking however is that the word survivor is one that we all know because somewhere deep inside each and everyone of us is a survivor.
We have all survived something traumatic in our lives. Often times you can turn that very trauma into something that will help others.
Susie is a skilled speaker who brings with her many tools of expertise in many areas. If you are interested in further information about booking Susie for your next speaking engagement regardless of the size of audience please contact via email at
contact@watchfuleyeusa.com
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
When a Gangster calls it quits PART 2
Part 2....
Jose came to me about two years ago and wanted me to help him get out and away
from the high profile gang he was in. He somehow got my cell number from someone who knew someone that came to our
after school program and he decided to call me one Sunday.
He wanted to meet and wouldn't state why.... I'm not gonna lie - I was a little nervous when he told me his name....
he was well known for his violent and heartless methods.
I told him that I would meet with him at my office - he wanted to meet right away - like in 30 minutes......
I thought maybe because of the threats against my life that he was arranging something......
so I told him sure - "my office in 30 minutes"
I figured that since I have "panic buttons" in various places at my office I would be safe....
So, I went a little earlier and prepared myself just in case.......
Continued....
Sitting at my desk seemed like the place to be - I didn't want to look nervous. The bells on the door went off and my heart I swear felt as if it skipped a beat.....
I called out, " hey I'm in here" and he walked on into my office.
I could tell the minute he walked in that I had no reason to be scared. He had been beaten and it was obvious that it had taken a toll on his inner soul as well.
My heart went out to this guy who I had along with everyone else feared. He stood there in front of my desk and very quietly asked me if he could talk to me straight. I said " sure, but first I want to know if we are cool with one another" he stated " ya, its cool".....
So he sat down - and I asked him what was up.....he said very quietly - almost inaudible - "I got jumped out and I need you to help me to get my life straight now. I don't want to do this shit no more, can you help me?"
I looked at him and felt more compassion than I have ever felt I think for any of the other gangsters that I work with. Here was this man - not a kid - who stood in front of those who respected and feared him, and he allowed them to beat him. He had a few broken ribs, broken nose, chipped tooth, black eyes, but the thing that was more obvious than these physical ones was that he looked lost.
That's all he had for years was what he had just given up. He instantly had my respect and I was determined that he would have my friendship as well. Anyone that would put themselves through this deserves at least that.
I asked him "why did you get out" ......he said he just had been thinking of it for awhile. He said that he would watch me sometimes when I was out cleaning up graffiti or collecting truckloads of food for the flood victims and he wanted to be in that circle. He said that one of the last times that he had the younger gangsters paint a 187 (187 means to murder) tag he did it to see what I would do. When it got back to him that I got out of the cleanup bus - and had told the kids "I got this one" and that I had cleaned it up alone, he said that bothered him. He wanted to apologize to me. He said he also wanted to ask me to help him "get straight in life".....
I asked him, " do you really mean it or is this some trick that you have come up with".....
his reply was one that surprised me but at the same time made me feel as if the choice I had made to help those that had been cast aside and labeled as worthless was one of the best decisions I had made.
It took me about a minute of silence to ponder all of this. I needed to let it this conversation process somewhat in my brain. Surprised is about the only word I can come up with on this one.
Like I said, I thought about this for about a minute. The silence in the room made "Jose" shift nervously in his chair as he waited for my response.
It's amazing how much can run through your mind in a minute.
I was very careful when I spoke as I did not want to scare him away nor did I want to offend him. After all, he had taken the first step by coming to me.
So this is what I told him.....
"Jose" if you are really sure about this then I will do everything in my being to help you. This change cannot come from me though - it has to be what you want. When you set forth to change what you have been living most of your life it is very difficult. You have to seriously without a doubt want this change to happen. It is really easy to flip back into the old ways - for instance - you can make over a couple thousand dollars a day selling drugs, but now working at a job 40 hours a week may if your lucky bring you about $350 a week. However, making that $350 may be hard physically but at least you are earning it honestly and don't have to look over your shoulder constantly. Also flipping yourself means to change all your "friends".......those homies that you have been kicking it with are not going to be supportive of your change. They will do everything they can to make sure you stay the same as them.
If its power you are looking for, you can find power by offering to be an influence to change others just like you. Who better to do that than you?
I continued on by telling him - "Jose" I too have watched you for a few years. Don't think for a minute that all that you did got past me or went unnoticed. You are a leader and a survivor and that puts you in a position to be anything you want to be - not just a gang leader or a dealer. I believe in people. Even the worse of the worse usually have something good in them. Sometimes the bad overshadows the good and people cant see it - its not on the surface but I tend to look at people in a different way. If you say you want to change then I believe you. The most important thing though is that you have to believe in yourself.
"Jose" had been looking down at the floor the entire time I had been speaking. When I finished he looked straight at me with tears in his eyes and said " nobody has ever told me anything like that. Like they believe in me and that I can do whatever I want......thanks for telling me that".....
I got up from behind my desk, not feeling the need any longer to be near the panic buttons, and I went around and stood in front of him and said " well its true - I do believe in you....if you have enough courage to go through all of this to get to me then I believe in you. I will do whatever I can to help you".
He stood up and I gave him what the younger kids all call a "momma hug" and he again repeated "thanks".......
"Jose" and I have become friends - its been almost 2 years since his flip. He has a girlfriend and a new baby and he works 40 hours a week. He doesn't have rolled up bills in his pocket like before but he is happy. One of the things that is really noticeable on him is that it is visible - he no longer looks like the scary gangster that he once was. Yes, he still has all his tattoo's and hopefully I can come up with some money one day to help him get those removed.
He calls me to talk and tell me about whats going on in his life and I keep pushing him to keep moving forward. He is working on his GED as well.
I tell him constantly that I am so very proud of him.....and I am.
Change has to come from within......the best dressed people in busy suits can often times be one of the worse individuals you could meet.
My advice to people is to try and look past at the tat's and the clothes and see what people have on the inside. I do it everyday.....because I believe in people and I believe in the power of kindness and compassion because that is what will bring about change that we want to see.
"Jose's" story is true. I am very proud of him and tell him everytime I speak to him. To survive all that he has and move onward is huge. He tells me that he really appreciates all that I have done but I reply that I didnt do anything - he did it because it was what he wanted.
Jose came to me about two years ago and wanted me to help him get out and away
from the high profile gang he was in. He somehow got my cell number from someone who knew someone that came to our
after school program and he decided to call me one Sunday.
He wanted to meet and wouldn't state why.... I'm not gonna lie - I was a little nervous when he told me his name....
he was well known for his violent and heartless methods.
I told him that I would meet with him at my office - he wanted to meet right away - like in 30 minutes......
I thought maybe because of the threats against my life that he was arranging something......
so I told him sure - "my office in 30 minutes"
I figured that since I have "panic buttons" in various places at my office I would be safe....
So, I went a little earlier and prepared myself just in case.......
Continued....
Sitting at my desk seemed like the place to be - I didn't want to look nervous. The bells on the door went off and my heart I swear felt as if it skipped a beat.....
I called out, " hey I'm in here" and he walked on into my office.
I could tell the minute he walked in that I had no reason to be scared. He had been beaten and it was obvious that it had taken a toll on his inner soul as well.
My heart went out to this guy who I had along with everyone else feared. He stood there in front of my desk and very quietly asked me if he could talk to me straight. I said " sure, but first I want to know if we are cool with one another" he stated " ya, its cool".....
So he sat down - and I asked him what was up.....he said very quietly - almost inaudible - "I got jumped out and I need you to help me to get my life straight now. I don't want to do this shit no more, can you help me?"
I looked at him and felt more compassion than I have ever felt I think for any of the other gangsters that I work with. Here was this man - not a kid - who stood in front of those who respected and feared him, and he allowed them to beat him. He had a few broken ribs, broken nose, chipped tooth, black eyes, but the thing that was more obvious than these physical ones was that he looked lost.
That's all he had for years was what he had just given up. He instantly had my respect and I was determined that he would have my friendship as well. Anyone that would put themselves through this deserves at least that.
I asked him "why did you get out" ......he said he just had been thinking of it for awhile. He said that he would watch me sometimes when I was out cleaning up graffiti or collecting truckloads of food for the flood victims and he wanted to be in that circle. He said that one of the last times that he had the younger gangsters paint a 187 (187 means to murder) tag he did it to see what I would do. When it got back to him that I got out of the cleanup bus - and had told the kids "I got this one" and that I had cleaned it up alone, he said that bothered him. He wanted to apologize to me. He said he also wanted to ask me to help him "get straight in life".....
I asked him, " do you really mean it or is this some trick that you have come up with".....
his reply was one that surprised me but at the same time made me feel as if the choice I had made to help those that had been cast aside and labeled as worthless was one of the best decisions I had made.
It took me about a minute of silence to ponder all of this. I needed to let it this conversation process somewhat in my brain. Surprised is about the only word I can come up with on this one.
Like I said, I thought about this for about a minute. The silence in the room made "Jose" shift nervously in his chair as he waited for my response.
It's amazing how much can run through your mind in a minute.
I was very careful when I spoke as I did not want to scare him away nor did I want to offend him. After all, he had taken the first step by coming to me.
So this is what I told him.....
"Jose" if you are really sure about this then I will do everything in my being to help you. This change cannot come from me though - it has to be what you want. When you set forth to change what you have been living most of your life it is very difficult. You have to seriously without a doubt want this change to happen. It is really easy to flip back into the old ways - for instance - you can make over a couple thousand dollars a day selling drugs, but now working at a job 40 hours a week may if your lucky bring you about $350 a week. However, making that $350 may be hard physically but at least you are earning it honestly and don't have to look over your shoulder constantly. Also flipping yourself means to change all your "friends".......those homies that you have been kicking it with are not going to be supportive of your change. They will do everything they can to make sure you stay the same as them.
If its power you are looking for, you can find power by offering to be an influence to change others just like you. Who better to do that than you?
I continued on by telling him - "Jose" I too have watched you for a few years. Don't think for a minute that all that you did got past me or went unnoticed. You are a leader and a survivor and that puts you in a position to be anything you want to be - not just a gang leader or a dealer. I believe in people. Even the worse of the worse usually have something good in them. Sometimes the bad overshadows the good and people cant see it - its not on the surface but I tend to look at people in a different way. If you say you want to change then I believe you. The most important thing though is that you have to believe in yourself.
"Jose" had been looking down at the floor the entire time I had been speaking. When I finished he looked straight at me with tears in his eyes and said " nobody has ever told me anything like that. Like they believe in me and that I can do whatever I want......thanks for telling me that".....
I got up from behind my desk, not feeling the need any longer to be near the panic buttons, and I went around and stood in front of him and said " well its true - I do believe in you....if you have enough courage to go through all of this to get to me then I believe in you. I will do whatever I can to help you".
He stood up and I gave him what the younger kids all call a "momma hug" and he again repeated "thanks".......
"Jose" and I have become friends - its been almost 2 years since his flip. He has a girlfriend and a new baby and he works 40 hours a week. He doesn't have rolled up bills in his pocket like before but he is happy. One of the things that is really noticeable on him is that it is visible - he no longer looks like the scary gangster that he once was. Yes, he still has all his tattoo's and hopefully I can come up with some money one day to help him get those removed.
He calls me to talk and tell me about whats going on in his life and I keep pushing him to keep moving forward. He is working on his GED as well.
I tell him constantly that I am so very proud of him.....and I am.
Change has to come from within......the best dressed people in busy suits can often times be one of the worse individuals you could meet.
My advice to people is to try and look past at the tat's and the clothes and see what people have on the inside. I do it everyday.....because I believe in people and I believe in the power of kindness and compassion because that is what will bring about change that we want to see.
"Jose's" story is true. I am very proud of him and tell him everytime I speak to him. To survive all that he has and move onward is huge. He tells me that he really appreciates all that I have done but I reply that I didnt do anything - he did it because it was what he wanted.
When a Gangster Calls it Quits - PART 1
Enough is Enough *Jose* said.......
Editors note: Due to the high risk issue, names have been changed for protection.
Jose had been fighting all of his life he told me...that he remembers for sure is about the age of 5.
All little boys fight but Jose's situation was a little different......
His older cousins would take him to other towns on the weekends where they would put him in a fight ring with another little boy. People would bet money on which boys would win. The boys would be severly punished if they lost by the people that brought them to fight.
Jose was one of those little boys......
In the beginning he lost alot of fights and would get beat and sometimes sodomized just depending on the mood of the older cousins and their friends.
His mom never really cared too much as she was pre-occupied with various boyfriends so she had little time for him. His Dad had gone onto another town and had a different life.
Eventually the Dad would come back for his son but not until he had already suffered for years.
Jose survived all of the abuse by learning how to be tough.....
By the time he was 10 years old he was selling drugs and "kicking it" with the older guys. Looking back he said he must have been like a pet dog - they would rub his head when they were in a good mood or if something made them mad, they would shove him down or kick him just be mean to him, even if he had nothing to do with it.
Sometimes they would hold his face and body and blow marijuana smoke in his mouth, as he gagged from the smoke - then they would dump beer in his mouth or whiskey.......
Survival mode kicked in eventually.......
Soon he was making thousands of dollars a week - he states that he was really good at selling street drugs. He said his motto was "you want it, I got it".....
Jose came to me about two years ago and wanted me to help him get out and away from the high profile gang he was in. He somehow got my cell number from someone who knew someone that came to our afterschool program and he decided to call me one Sunday.
He wanted to meet and wouldnt state why.... I'm not gonna lie - I was a little nervous when he told me his name....he was well known for his violent and heartless methods.
I told him that I would meet with him at my office - he wanted to meet right away - like in 30 minutes......I thought maybe because of the threats against my life that he was arranging something......so I told him sure - "my office in 30 minutes"
I figured that since I have "panic buttons" in various places at my office I would be safe....So, I went a little earlier and prepared myself just in case.......
PLEASE RETURN AGAIN FOR THE 2ND PART -
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