>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE SECOND HALF.

WE CALL THIS NEXT UP.

WHERE WE INTERVIEW COMMUNITY LEADERS.

THIS HALF HOUR, RAY AND I ARE PRIVILEGED TO TALK ABOUT THREE INDIVIDUALS.

WE WILL LOOK AT GUN VIOLENCE, GUNSHOT WOUNDS, UNFORTUNATELY, A TOPIC THAT IS TOO RELEVANT.

WE WERE 200 HOMICIDES.

120 KIDS UNDER 17 WERE SHOT LAST YEAR IN OUR REGION.

26 OF THEM DIED.

THERE'S A GREAT PROGRAM CALLED LIFE OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE THAT IS INTENDED TO BREAK THAT CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.

WE ARE JOINED BY 3 INDIVIDUALS WHO KNOW ABOUT THAT.

DOUG IS A TRAUMA SURGEON AT BJ C. AND A PROJECT ACCORDING WITH LIFE OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE.

DARRIN, WHO IS JOINING ON THIS PANEL.

>> DOCTOR, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

THIS IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN; IS IT NOT?

>> FIREARMS IS THE LEADS CAUSE OF DEATH.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IT CROSSED THE BORDER OF CAR ACCIDENTS.

>> THAT IS PRETTY GRIM.

PERSONALLY, YOU ARE AT BJC AND COMBINING WITH OTHER HOSPITALS AND IT IS CALLED LIFE WITHOUT VIOLENCE.

>> WE DECIDED TO HAVE AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM AND THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS AND OTHER HOSPITALS IN OUR REGION, IF WE DIDN'T FOLLOW EACH OTHER WE WOULDN'T KNOW IF OUR PROGRAMS WERE EFFECTIVE.

WE GOT TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER TRAUMA CENTER AND TRAUMA, CHILDREN TRAUMA AS WELL, AND CITY, AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST ONE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> TELL US HOW YOU GOT INTO THIS VERY IMPORTANT WORK OF LIFE OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE?

>> YEAH, I THINK REALLY WHERE IT STARTED WAS PHYSICIANS THAT WERE TREATING PATIENTS REALIZE WE ARE FED UP WITH SEEING THE SAME INDIVIDUALS COME IN WITH VIOLENT INJURY.

AND SO, IT REALLY STARTED AT THE TOP DOWN FROM HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS AND OTHER PARTNERS.

THIS INCLUDES PHYSICIANS, LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL WORKERS, NURSING STAFF, DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF PROGRAM INTERVENTION PIECE WHICH SAID WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING TO TRACK THIS AND WHO ARE COMING IN FOR REPEAT INJURY, AND WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT.

WHILE THE HOSPITAL TREATS THE MEDICAL PIECE AND PARTICIPATES GO BACK HOME, THEY ARE LIVING IN THE SAME SPACES AND ENVIRONMENTS, RIGHT.

OUR PROGRAMS FOLLOW THEM AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE.

THE DESIGN WAS TO HAVE SOMEONE REACH THEM IMMEDIATELY AT BED SIDE IN HOSPITAL AND CONNECT WITH THEM, WHICH IS WHAT THE OUTREACH TEAM AND SAY I HAVE BEEN THERE.

THAT OUTREACH TEAM HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE.

EITHER HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OR HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND CONNECT THEM WITH CLINIC STAFF THAT WILL PROVIDE THEM CAN COUNSELING AND CASE MANAGEMENT.

NOT ONLY TO ADDRESS THE INJURY, BUT ALL OF THE OTHER TRAUMA IN LIFE THAT LED UP TO THE INJURY.

>> DARRIN, WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> OUTREACH ACTIVIST.

SO, WHAT I DO, ONCE THE KID GETS SHOT, I GO STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE 45 MINUTES TO TRY TO CHANGE THEM AND LEAD THEM IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

>> I GOT INVOLVED WITH THEM WATCHING ME WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE A PROGRAM COMING.

IT IS ABOUT THE WORK FOR ME.

ALL OF THE KIDS I ENCOUNTER WITH, WE LOOK AT LOVE, THEY LOOK AT LOVE, TIME, THEY LOOK IT AT LIKE TIME.

I HAVE BEEN SHOT 13 TIMES.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN SHOT 13 TIMES?

>> YEAH.

I HAVE LIVED THE LIFE.

I LIVED ON THE STREETS AND I TURNED MY LIFE OVER TO THE LORD.

I LEFT ST. LOUIS AND I CAME BACK AND I AM APART OF THE CONSTRUCTION.

NOT THE DECONSTRUCTION.

>> THAT THE PROFOUND.

I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT COMMENT.

A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE THINK OF GUN SHOT VICTIMS, WE THINK OF THEM AS THE VICTIM, AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE.

WHAT CAN YOU DO, I MEAN, ARE YOU TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO YOU MENTIONED THAT ARE APART OF THE DECONSTRUCTION, OR ARE THEY PART OF THE RANDOM VICTIMS?

>> I TRY TO TACKLE ALL OF THEM.

IT IS 13-21.

MIND CONFUSED AND I TRY TO CHANGE THE NORM FOR THEM AND LET THEM KNOW THERE IS A WAY OUT.

IF YOU LOOK AT BACK AT HOW WHEN WE WAS LITTLE, WE HAD A LOT TO DO.

THESE KIDS HAVE NOTHING TO DO.

THEY THINK IT IS COOL TO JUMP IN A CAR AND JOY-RIDE UNTIL THEY HAVE TO COME AND SEE HIM.

THAT IS WHEN IT GETS SERIOUS.

AND I TELL THE KIDS -- WE DON'T HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM IN ST. LOUIS.

NOT A DOPE PROBLEM, WE HAVE A MAN PROBLEM.

THE MEN HAVE TO STEP UP AND RAISE THEIR KIDS AND GIVE BACK.

TO BE A MAN, YOU HAVE TO SEE A MAN.

THEY SAW THEY FATHER IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

THEY DON'T HAVE FATHERS IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

WE ARE BREAKING IT ALL THE WAY DOWN, FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END AND TRY NOT TO MISS A BEAT.

I HAVE KIDS THAT MEET AT 7 O'CLOCK, AND I'M LOST.

I HAVE TO TALK RIGHT THERE.

I TRY TO CHANGE THE NORM FOR THEM.

>> DOCTOR, HOW MANY GUNSHOT WOUNDS DO YOU SEE AN A DAILY BASIS?

>> PROBABLY IS BETTER YEAR TO YEAR.

WEEKENDS ARE BUSIER.

WE PEEKED IN 2020 UP TO 150 VISITS TO OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS, THAT'S MORE THAN 2 A DAY.

SOME DAYS IT IS 4 OR 5, AND SOME DAYS NOT AS MANY.

WE ARE AROUND 800 THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE SEEN PEEKS WITH EPISODE OF VIOLENCE AND COVID-19.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHENEVER THERE IS A PEEK, IT DOESN'T COME DOWN MUCH.

>> IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THE HOMICIDE NUMBERS WOULD BE HIGHER IF NOT FOR THE TRAUMA SURGEONS WHO ARE SAVING LIVES?

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT.

WE ARE THERE FOR THAT.

IF YOU COME IN WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND AND YOU COME IN ALIVE, 95 PERCENT OF THE TIME, YOU WILL LEAVE ALIVE.

>> WE DON'T THINK OF THE PEOPLE WHO SURVIVED THE GOOD SHOTS.

THAT PERSON MAY BE IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE, MENTALLY IMPAIRED OR THEIR RIGHT ARM DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE OR WALK WITH A LIMP.

WE THINK THEY ARE LUCKY.

BUT THEIR LIVES ARE CHANGED FOREVER, FROM HERE ON OUT.

>> I WANT TO DO, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, SO, GUN VIOLENCE IS ONE PIECE OF THIS.

THE OTHER PIECE THAT IS INCLUDED IN LIFE OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE, WE KNOW THERE IS A PROGRESSION.

YOU MAY COME IN FOR A BLUNT ASSAULT, THAT MAY INCREASE TO A STABBING, AND THEN GUN VIOLENCE.

WE TREAT ALL OF THOSE PATIENTS EVEN STARTING WITH BLUNT TRAUMA.

AND IT DOES HAVE TO BE HOLISTIC AND UP-STREAM.

PART OF OUR INTERVENTION IS INCLUDING EDUCATION, CONNECTION TO EMPLOYMENT, OPPORTUNITIES, BECAUSE, YEAH, LIKE YOU ARE SAYING, WE HAVE PATIENTS COMING IN AND LIFE WAS WORKING AND LIFE WAS GOING WELL AS FAR AS THEY KNEW.

YOU CANNOT DO THAT IF YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INJURY MOVING FORWARD FROM THAT.

IT IS A WRAP-AROUND OR HOLISTIC APPROACH.

NOT TREATING JUST THE MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT FROM THE TRAUMA LEADING UP TO IT, BUT ALL OF THE OTHER PIECES THAT WE ALL DESERVE TO HAVE AS WELL BEING AND FUNCTIONS OF DAILY LIVING.

>> CAN I ADD IN TERMS OF THE TRAUMA AND AS YOU MENTIONED THE DIABILITIES THAT COME WITH GUN VIOLENCE.

THE REALLY PROBLEM, IT IS ON THE YOUNGER AGE.

THESE ARE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

NOT THAT CANCER AND HEART DISEASE ARE NOT IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THEY ARE.

THE YEARS LOST, THE COST IS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN YOU ARE 60 AND NOT 20.

>> THERE IS NO MORE POLITICALIZED TOPIC THAN GUNS.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT EARLIER.

IT IS AN ISSUE THERE'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE.

HOW DOES -- HOW, YOU OBVIOUSLY TALK ABOUT DEAL WITH THE SOURCE.

YOU ARE TRYING TO GET AT IT FROM A CAUSE STANDPOINT.

HOW MANY DOES GUN POLICY EFFECT WHAT YOU DO, AND WITHOUT DRAGGING YOU INTO THE POLITICAL TOPIC?

>> WE ARE MINDFUL NOT TO GET INTO THAT DEBATE.

>> I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT.

>> SURE.

WE KNOW WHERE MISSOURI SITS IN TERMS OF THAT CONVERSATION.

I THINK WE ARE JUST DOING OUR BEST AS A TEAM TO TREAT, PREVENT, SO IF IT IS BRINGING YOUNG PEOPLE INTO OUR PROGRAM OR OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE REGION, THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE SIT.

THERE'S NOT MUCH ELSE WE CAN DO ON THAT PIECE OF IT.

THERE IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE ARE AWARE OF AND DISCUSS.

>> SO, TRAUMA SURGEONS ACROSS THE BOARD, WE ARE TRAUMA SURGEONS BUT WE ALL AGREE WE WANT LESS BULLET HOLES IN PEOPLE.

SAFE LOCKS AT HOME, AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING THE GUNS AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT TO HAVE GUNS DON'T GET THEM.

IT IS NOT TOO MUCH ARGUED.

AS TRAUMA SURGEONS, WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATES OF INJURY PREVENTION.

AND BIG ON SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS.

AND OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE AGREE TO, IT IS NOT RED AND BLUE.

IT IS AGREES ON THIS.

>> MOST PEOPLE AGREE ON GUN LOCKS?

>> YES.

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

>> INDIVIDUALS, NO.

THEY THINK THEY NEED TO GET TO THEM QUICKLY.

>> CORRECT.

THE PARTICIPANTS THAT ENROLL IN LIFE OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE FOR THAT VERY REASON.

THEY NEED THEM UNDER THE PILLOW, AT THEIR BED SIDE FOR SAFETY REASONS.

THAT'S THE CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO OCCUR.

IS HOW DO WE MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE TO LIMIT ACCESS TO FIREARMS AS MUCH.

AND TO THE DOCTOR'S POINT, WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THIS AS A PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC AND CRISIS.

I THINK THAT CONVERSATION IS OCCURRING AND MORE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT IT THAT WAY.

AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OR SMOKING, IT IS THE SAME CONCEPT.

GUN VIOLENCE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND ISSUE AND SO WE SHOULD TREAT IT AND CAN TREAT IT THE SAME AS WE DO THE OTHER DISEASES, ESSENTIALLY.

>> YOU SPOKE REALLY WELL ABOUT THE MALE ROLE MODELS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A KID, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE HEARING GUNSHOTS AT NIGHT AND THEIR REACTION, I STILL HAVE TO HAVE MY WEAPON?

I MEAN -- HOW CAN YOU RECONCILE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD FEEL THE NEED TO HAVE SELF-DEFENSE?

>> RIGHT.

IF THIS WAS A GUN, I COULD SET IT HERE AND IT AIN'T GOING TO BUG NOBODY.

IF I PICK IT UP, IT WILL BUG SOMEBODY.

WE HAVE TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

MY EFFECT IS, I'M 52.

I'M STILL HURTING FROM 1989.

SO, IF I TELL A KID YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL THIS PAIN FOR 30, 40 YEARS.

THE BULLETS THAT HIT ME OR THE BULLETS THAT HIT THEM.

THE BULLETS WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH ME.

FOR THEM, THEY MAY HAVE TO HAVE LIMBS TAKEN OFF.

I'M LIKE A POLICE OFFICER AND TRAIN THEM.

MILITARY GUYS GO THROUGH WEEKS AND WEEKS OF TRAINING TO SHOOT A GUN.

A 14-YEAR-OLD, YOU ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SHOOT AN A R. WHAT ABOUT THE BABY 10 BLOCKS DOWN THE STREET.

I GO INSIDE OF THE SCHOOLS AND GRAB AS MANY AS I CAN.

AND I GO UP TO THE SCHOOLS AND I SEE THE HURT.

I CAN SEE A KID TRYING TO GET OUT.

I GOT A KID SAYING WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

I WANT TO MOVE.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND GET EDUCATED AND YOU CAN MOVE.

IF YOUR MOTHER IS MAKING MISTAKES AND YOU ARE MAKING D'S, F'S, YOU WILL BE IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD.

EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO GET OUT.

AND EVERYBODY SITTING AT THE TABLE, WE CAN CHANGE IT.

>> IN YOUR CASE, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING, WERE YOU SHOT 13 TIMES IN ONE INCIDENT?

>> NO, FOUR TIMES.

THE OTHER TIME I GOT SHOT, NOBODY TALK TO ME.

THE ANGER WAS THERE.

WHAT DID I DO?

I TRIED TO HURT HIM BACK.

I CAME IN AGAIN, FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES I CAME BACK IN TO THE HOSPITAL.

I WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE EVERYBODY.

HOW DO I ESCAPE THIS?

BUT I'M STILL SURROUNDED BY IT.

I HAD TO START READING AND EDUCATING MYSELF, I CAN GO TO JAIL FOR LIFE.

I WANTED TO ESCAPE.

I WENT TO -- AND SHE CALLED ME, I WAS APART OF THE TEAM FOR CARE VIOLENCE.

AND I WANTED TO BE HANDS ON.

I WANT TO GO BEFORE IT HAPPENED.

HOW DO I TALK TO THIS KID BEFORE YOU GET SHOT?

MY CONVERSATION IS, LIKE, HOW DO I TALK TO HIM ABOUT YOU WILL GET SHOT BY THE SUMMER.

YOU HAVE TO BE AROUND DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT GOALS.

IF YOU ARE ON THE BLOCK, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS ON THE BLOCK.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD -- I ALWAYS TELL THE PEOPLE GHETTO, IT IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE.

SUBURBS IS THE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

YOU DON'T MESS UP AND DON'T GET SHOT.

HOW DO WE CHANGE THE KID?

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE THAT A GUN SHOT VICTIM, IF THAT PERSON SURVIVES, IS LIKELY TO PICK UP A FIREARM TO SEEK REVENGE.

>> WOMEN ARE NOT DOING THIS.

GIRLS ARE GETTING SHOT.

BUT THEY ARE NOT PICKING UP FIREARMS?

>> THEY ARE NOT PICKING UP GUNS.

BUT THERE'S A BIG PROBLEM.

THE CELL PHONES.

SOMEONE GETS INTO A FIGHT AT SCHOOL AND THEY VIDEO TAPE IT.

I SAW GUYS LOSE AND SHAKE HANDS.

WHEN YOU SEE THE FIGHT ON TAPE IT BRINGS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF ANGER.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> IT IS A GIRL PROBLEM AS WELL.

>> HE DIDN'T SPEAK FOR ME.

>> NO.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE GUN VIOLENCE IS COMMITTED BY MEN.

>> SHOOTING, NOT NECESSARILY.

A LOT OF IT IS PREMEDITATED WITH PARTNERS.

WE HAVE SEVERAL YOUNG WOMEN THAT ARE VICTIMS AND DO THE VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF THESE DYNAMICS.

WE ARE IN A CULTURE WHERE THERE IS RETALIATION AND RISKS OF RETALIATION.

THIS IS VERY REAL.

>> REVENGE.

>> WE ARE SEEING MORE WOMEN GET SHOT.

VICTIMS.

>> VICTIMS.

>> RIGHT.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE APART OF THE PROBLEM.

WE DON'T KNOW.

>> WHO IS GOING TO PICK UP THE GUN, AND LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE VIOLENCE WORK WITH THAT PERSON IN WAYS THAT YOUR IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT NOT MAKING IT WORSE, DO YOU GET INVOLVED ALSO WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST ARE NOT GOING TO PICK UP THE GUN, BUT STILL NEED YOUR HELP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

UNFORTUNATELY, OUR PROGRAM ENROLLS THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN HURT AND SEEN ONE OF OUR PARTNER HOSPITALS.

ANY CONTACT THAT IS MADE WE ARE CONNECTING THEM EITHER IF IT IS OUR PROGRAM OR ANY OTHER.

THERE'S A LARGE NETWORK IN THE ST. LOUIS REGION.

AND I THINK IT IS THE BEST KEPT SECRET RIGHT NOW.

YE YEAH, THEY ARE CONNECTED TO WHATEVER THEY NEED.

>> LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE VIOLENCE STARTED IN ST. LOUIS.

THE FIRST ORGANIZATION OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY.

>> CITY-WIDE.

>> OKAY.

>> YEAH.

>> THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL.

WE HAD 200 HOMICIDES IN THE YEAR.

AND 26 KIDS DIED BY GUNFIRE.

MOST OF THEM IN THE CITY.

>> DOCTOR, YOU ARE FROM PITTSBURGH.

THEY HAVE A HIGHER POPULATION AND THEY HAD A THIRD OF HOMICIDES, THEY HAD 70.

WE HAD 200.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS.

I'M NOT A SOCIAL WORKER OR A SOCIAL PERSON LOOKING AT THE STATISTICS.

WE HAVE A KNEE-JERK AVAILABILITY OF GUNS IN OUR AREA AND LONGER STANDING FACTORS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST THINGS.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO OVERALL.

BUT, WHEN YOU SAY, YOU ASKED WHAT ARE WE DOING?

WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE OF LIFE OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE.

IT IS ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

WE WAS SHOT FOUR SEPARATE TIMES.

THE MORE TIMES YOU GET SHOT, THE HIGHER THE ODDS OF DIEING.

JUST LIKE CANCER.

WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF PREVENTING THE CYCLE EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT AN AGGRESSIVE PERSON.

WE CAN SAVE MORE LIVES.

>> OVER TIME, WE EXPECT IT TO WORK.

ONCE YOU FIND A CURE FOR CANCER, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO FILTER THROUGH THE POPULATION.

IT WILL TAKE SOMETIME FROM THIS SIDE.

WE NEED SOMETHING FROM THE OTHER SIDE BECAUSE WE NEED TO STOP THOSE WHO ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO GET GUNS NOT TO GET THE GUNS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF LOYALTY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE VIOLENCE, IF SOMEONE IN OUR CHANNEL 9 LISTENING AUDIENCE, 9 PBS, WANTS TO GET INVOLVE AND HELP, YOU ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE HOSPITAL.

BUT WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO EITHER WITH THEIR TIME OR THEIR POCKET BOOK TO HELP LIFE OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE?

>> THANKS FOR ASKING THAT.

>> WE OPERATE 24-7.

>> 314-327-9967.

OR PROJECT LOVE.

ANYBODY CAN CONTACT US 24/7.

EVEN IF WE CAN'T SERVE THEM FROM THE ELIGIBLE CRITERIA, WE WOULD CONNECT THEM.

SO, YEAH.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT AVAILABLE.

>> WELL, MR.

SEALS, ONE STUDENT YOU TALKED TO AND ASKED WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.

HE SAYS HE WANTS TO MOVE.

THAT IS IDEAL, IS IT NOT?

>> YOU HAVE TO PUT THE WORK IN.

I TELL PEOPLE THIS STORY.

I FAILED BY FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR.

SHE TOOK ME OUT AND SENT ME TO A NEW HIGH SCHOOL.

I GRADUATED ON TIME.

SO, I'M NOT A DUMMY.

I HAVE TO SHOW THESE KIDS.

YOU ARE NOT DUMB.

JUST SHOOT FOR IT.

IT IS KIND OF HARD TO IMAGINE YOU WALKING OUTSIDE AND YOU ARE SEEING YOUR FATHER'S BRAIN BLEW OUT.

THE KID WANTS REVENGE.

HE WANTS REVENGE FROM NOBODY HE KNOW.

WHOEVER KILLED THIS GUY'S FATHER, HE IS GOING TO PRISON.

BUT THAT KID, NOBODY TALK TO THE KID ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOU.

NEVER.

SO, WE GOT TO LOOK AT THAT STORM.

AND THEN THAT STORM COMES TW ANOTHER STORM.

AND THEN ONCE IT BLOW OVER THEN IT IS TOO LATE.

I TRY TO TELL EVERY KID, YOU JUST GOT TO FIGHT FOR IT.

I TELL ST. LOUIS ALL OF THE TIME, I WAKE UP 2, 3, 4 IN THE MORNING, HEARING THE GUNSHOTS.

I SAY, MAN, THIS IS MY FAULT.

WHEN I GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND THEY SAY HE PASSED AWAY.

MAN, IT IS MY FAULT.

SOMEONE IS GETTING SHOT RIGHT NOW.

IT IS MY FAULT.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED BACK IT IN THE 80S.

THE STORY CONTINUES.

WHAT I DID BACK THEN, THE STORIES ARE STILL THERE.

THEY WERE BEFORE MY TIME.

MY ROLE MODELS WERE GANGSTERS.

I DIDN'T LOOK AT MY FATHER.

HE WAS ARCHITECT.

WHY DID I WANT TO LOOK AT THE GANGSTERS.

I WAS SURROUNDED.

YOU BECOME WHAT YOU SEE.

>> GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE?

SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHO EMBODIES THE BEST OF WHAT OUTCOMES YOU WOULD LIKE.

>> I GOT A KID THAT CAME TO ME AND HE SAID HE WANTED TO HURT HIS FATHER.

HE IS AT MIZZOU RIGHT NOW.

I AM ALWAYS GOING.

I CAN TAKE A KID THAT WAS PREMEDITATED, TRYING TO HURT SOMEONE.

NOT JUST SOMEONE, BUT HIS FATHER BECAUSE OF THE HURT.

EVERYTHING SHE TRAINED ME, I COME BACK AND GIVE IT TO THEM.

EVERYTHING THEY TRAIN ME, I GIV GIVE IT TO THEM.

I'M SITTING AT THIS TABLE WITH SUCCESSFUL MEN.

I HAVE TO GET TO KNOW HIM ON ONE-ON-ONE BASIS.

I TRANSLATE HIS STORY AND SEND IT TO THE YOUNG MEN.

IF HE WAS TO TELL ME, I SAW A YOUNG MAN LOSE HIS LIFE.

OH, MY GOD.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW THAT KID THAT COULD HAVE BEEN YOU.

YOU KEEP TELLING THEM.

YOU KEEP TELLING THEM.

YOU KEEP TELLING THEM.

SO YOU REPROGRAM.

AND THEN, YOU GET THEM OUT.

>> MY WHOLE VISION IS SEND THEM TO A DIFFERENT PLACE.

REGROUP.

>> WE HAVE A MINUTE TO GO.

>> ARE THERE ENOUGH OF YOU TO HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE CONNECTION FOR THE KIDS WHO ARE AT RISK HERE?

IN OUR AREA?

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH OF YOU MAKING ONE-ON-ONE CONNECTIONS?

>> OBVIOUSLY, NOT YET.

I WILL LET THEM HAVE THE LAST WORD.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A LOT OF CASE WORKERS AND WE ARE LEARNING AND GETTING THE RESOURCES FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> WE HAVE THIRTY SECONDS.

>> NEVER ENOUGH.

WE HAVE ENOUGH INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS BEING BUILT.

ANOTHER SUCCESS PIECE WE CAN SEE THOSE THAT HAVE ENROLLED IN A PROGRAM LIKE THIS, WE KNOW WHAT THEIR REPEAT INJURY OR FATALITIES RATES LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO THOSE WHO DID NOT.

>> THANKS FOR FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT.

>> I DON'T SPEAK FOR THE AUDIENCE MUCH, BUT THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THINKING SO MULCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, EVERYBODY.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!