Victory Outreach helps Latinos leave the gang life

Mauricio Muñoz stands in the middle of a Hayward street where painted lines on the pavement diverge into two paths. A former gang member and drug addict, Muñoz chose another path in his life six years ago with the help of Victory Outreach, an international faith-based organization that helps gang members, drug addicts, alcoholics and others.

From the age of fourteen, Muñoz was involved with gangs, crime, and the police. In jail or on probation constantly, his life was a destructive cycle without direction. As a gang member, he was in the line of fire and at risk of becoming another Latino gang murder statistic.

Like many young Latinos, Muñoz got involved in a gang because he believed it would offer him a sense of belonging, or provide a stronger family unit than he had at home.  "I got involved with the gang because I wanted to be part of something," he says. He believed the promises of his gang brothers when they would tell him that if he committed a certain crime the gang would take care of his family when he was in prison. Already a father in his teen years, he saw that the gang didn't help his young family while he was paying the price for the gang's crime. Eventually he came to see the truth about the gang and how it was defining his life. "It was all a big lie," he says.

Joesy Pineda is the pastor at Victory Outreach Hayward, which is part of a worldwide network of more than 600 Victory Outreach churches and ministries across America and in 30 countries. In the 27 years since she and her late husband Steve founded the Hayward church, she has gained many insights into gang culture and what it takes to escape that life. Beyond the universal need to belong, she sees other motivations specific to Latinos. "It's the macho culture, the need to show their virility as men," she says. "They compete against each other, trying to prove themselves."

Whatever is plaguing a person's life, Victory Outreach works to build character in them. "It's often a lack of character that leads them to trouble whether it's drugs, alcohol or gangs," says Pastor Joesy. On the role that faith and the word of God plays in turning people's live around, she says, "Faith plays a very important role in our lives - they have lost their hope and through faith they see that there is hope. She adds that, "Our whole goal is to help those with vices in their life to become a productive member of society and reconnect with their family - we give them skills they need to do that."

Pastor Joesy and the Victory Outreach team have been active in Hayward neighborhoods for many years. "I remember the pastors since I was a kid, they were always there trying to help us," says Muñoz. "When I realized that I did not want to be part of the gang any more, I thought about them, so I came here for help and guidance," he adds. "I almost lost my family," he concludes. "It was an easy choice."

Muñoz married the mother of his children and today works as an electrician. When he visits his mother in his old neighborhood, he sees some of his former gang brothers. "They say I am an inspiration to them that they can change their lives too," he says. With the help of Victory Outreach, Muñoz saved himself and is helping young Latino gang members to see a better path. Hopefully they choose that path before it's too late.

Victory Outreach Hayward can be reached at 510-265-1800.