Getting Out of the "Gang" Life

The primary speaker for the meeting was introduced by Pastor Greg Ellard of the Presbyterian Church.  Pastor Ellard introduced Vanna In, who is a Vietnamese man who came to the United States as a refugee with his family. Vanna grew up in an abusive family with very little money. When he was very young Vanna and his family moved to Fresno, California where he experienced a great deal of racial discrimination leaving him contstanty trying to find a place to belong. Vanna found an Asian gang that not only accepted him but also gave him an avenue to generate more money.

After a life of crime and incarceration Vanna found Christianity which quickly turned his life around. With the help of a program that assisted ex-felons, Vanna landed a job which allowed him the opportunity to turn his life around and become a productive citizen. Through hard work and assistance from the program in Fresno, Vanna was able to get his master's degree from a seminary and recently moved to Colorado at the request of Pastor Ellard. The goal pastor Ellard and Vanna have set out to achieve is to develop a program in Greeley just like the program in Fresno that allowed Vanna to become the person he is today. Jobs of Hope is a non-profit designed to help young people who want to leave the "gang life" and land a job that generates legal income.  Vanna helps the young adults see their potential and then tutors them in the concepts and skills necessary to get and keep a job allowing them the ability to support their families.  Vanna's ultimate goal is to give back the opportunity that was given to him.  The Fresno program has helped to change over 2,000 young men and some women over the last 20 years and boasts an 85% success rate. Our best wishes to Pastor Ellard and Vanna In and the success of their program in Greeley.