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1.  Make sure he/she is definitely affiliated with a Gang before jumping to conclusions.
  • Do you see unusual bandana wearing?
  • Does he/she draw artworks that are symbolic in nature?
  • Does he/she hang out with a seemingly troublesome group?
  • Are his/her outfits predominately more blue/red/black/yellow/etc.?
  • Does his/her friend’s dress gang-like?
  • Do you see any new tattoos or other markings such as a branding or cuts?
  • Do they call their friends with nicknames?
  • Does you child have unexplained money, clothes, jewelry?
  • Are they out late at night and can't explain their whereabouts?
  • Are they more violent than before?
2.  If you are positive that your child is in a gang, confront the real Issue. (Details)
There is always a reason why your child is either hanging out with a gang or is a member of gang. It’s up to you, the parent/guardian, to do some research as to why? Below are just some of the more obvious “roots” of the reasons why.
  • There is a need for attention/affection.   
  • There is a need for “family”.   
  • There is a need for acceptance.    
  • There has been a breach of  Trust with authority figures.(Parents/Guardians/Teachers/etc.)
  • Popularity  
  • Protection  
  • The want for Money and Things.   
  • Need for a balanced male role model. A local church can give you family.
3.  Make a conscious effort to satisfy the real-issue.  Listed above are the core “roots” of why children get into gangs in the first place. It was because of unmet needs that these kids joined gangs. The problems didn’t happen overnight; so neither would the solution. There are many success stories that God’s X Gangsters have witnessed. Below are just a few suggestions that could help bring your child out of a gang and back into your loving family.
 
  • A simple suggestion is to…plan more family activities, and include your youth in your planning.
  • What would they like to do? If going to Disneyworld isn't an option, can you go fishing, watch a movie, or go bowling?  
  • Plan a family-focused volunteer work to a local church, or Community agency, as it will put the problem, in perspective.  
  • Share your own life stories of being used and how you learned to wise up. 
  • Start a conversation, and then LISTEN. They are talking to someone, who is listening. Start listening as you will learn more. Show interest and don't jump to conclusions. Learn to not shoot from the lip with quick suggestions, as you can learn more by creeping deep. Don't judge, just listen, and show support. Youth need to know they can actually have you be proud of them. Find something to compliment them on, as they need to hear, they have good in them. Notice the Good. Condemnation makes people withdraw even when they need help. Some kids would rather die then have you be right and rub it in. Show interest and don't jump to conclusions. Learn not to respond quickly with your Point-of-view.
4.    Get Involved & Be Proactive. 
  • Know where they are and know their friends.  
  • Be available…Be Visible…   
  • Talk to your child; discuss your life when you were younger. 
  • Get them involved in Family activities, which you can host.  
  • Call an uncle, grandfather, and/or neighbors and ask them for help. 
  • You could also get them involved in your local Church’s youth group. 
  • Connect them with your neighborhood mentorship program. 
  • Contact your child’s counselor at school if necessary.   
  • Contact organizations who have planned activities.   
  • Call the local gang squad and ask their advice.   
  • Contact the local community services board.   
  • Contact the Parks and Recreation.  
  • Recognize that they walked into this, and they can walk out.

If you are a parent involved in your community…
 
5.        Request for God’s X Gangsters to come to your city.
  • You can help on a greater scale by contacting your City Hall and asking them to have us come and help them build a 3-year prevention project. (Details) 
  • You can help hold a gang prevention workshop in your neighborhood, along with the local YMCA, Civic League, School, or even your church. We will bring everything needed, and you can make the connection. (Details)  
  • You can help by asking for our packet to hold a train the trainers’ workshop. (Details)
6.        Host a Luncheon.
  • You can help by connecting with your local corporations and hosting 5-6 professionals for a multimedia presentation that we can speak at.   
  • This will help provide the funding for the future workshops and to help put presentational materials in your hands for future-ongoing work. (Details)*   
* This is A 60 minute multi media presentation, covering the basic overview of the project, and this helps provide the support funding to launch a partnership that the community can utilize as a bases for a neighborhood prevention program. It will help the corporation by reducing their own, insurance costs, helps reduce property damage within apartment communities, and introduces opportunities for labor force development, as youth make right choices to help change their communities.

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