As a young man, Sergio was an extremely active part of gang life. In one of his recent presentations he told the students: "I loved gangs – I simply love the life, the support, the caring, the protection. But I did NOT join gang violence; I thought I was part of a Brotherhood!" Then the reality – the violence that kills so many, one of them his brother and friend; the violence that put his best friend in prison for 12 years for following on decisions he, Sergio, had made. These things are on his conscience and were the reason for his conversion, change, and his mission to young people now. Sergio founded and is Executive Director of S.T.R.O.N.G. (Struggling to Reunite our New Generation.)