.: OUR MISSION
La Calle News, Inc. is forged with the belief that high-risk youth carry the potential to create change within themselves and achieve success. It is the mission of La Calle News, Inc. to provide preventative, rehabilitative and transitional assistance to high-risk women on their journey to create change.
.: What is La Calle News, Inc.?
La Calle News, Inc. is a community-based organization located in Southern California that was founded by ex-gang member, Fernando N. Leon, who in response to overwhelming gang violence in his community started a grass roots approach to assisting high-risk youth.
La Calle News, Inc. has been through several transitioning stages, where what was originally designed to be a monthly community newsletter evolved to a more "hands on" approach to assisting youth in troubled neighborhoods. By going into neighborhoods that are avoided by even the most committed social service providers, Leon was able to establish a direct and personal connection with youth by sharing his personal struggle for success. It was out of response to teen females' pleas for "someone" similar to them that the "Been There-Done That" conferences were created.
Through a one day conference, high-risk teens are teamed up with “mentor-facilitators,” in which facilitators begin each session with their own personal struggle through obstacles such as: substance, verbal, mental, physical abuse; rape; prostitution; gang violence; teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. It is the mentor-facilitator’s own personal struggles and triumphs that help to establish a unique bond with the high-risk women. The mirror of past tribulations unites the mentor-facilitator to the high-risk participant, allowing the participant to see her reflection in the successful mentor-facilitator before her. It is this reflection of self that allows the participant to see beyond her current situation in life and aspire to new and great heights.
.: How Do Participants Find La Calle News, Inc?
Participants are brought to conferences by partner agencies such as, Orange County Probation Department, California Youth Authority (CYA) and Youth Guidance Center (YGC); former conference participants; schools; counseling centers and individual interest.
.: How Does La Calle Find Mentor-Facilitators?
Due to the high success of the program, many of the mentor-facilitators are referred by current mentor-facilitators. Previous high-risk youth participants have also joined La Calle News, Inc. to become some of the most aspiring mentor-facilitators in the program.
.: CALL LA CALLE NEWS INC.,
Office Telephone/Fax : 714-534-5787 Direct Line: 714-317-8050