San Francisco ministry fosters hope, change in gang culture

Published: 2008-04-21

SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) -- Julio Escobar recalled driving through San Francisco's Mission District in late June last year looking for a particular corner. After parking, he walked to a nearby taco stand. He was not there to eat. By a tree was a makeshift memorial to Edivaldo Sanchez, a 15-year-old boy who was shot to death June 18, 2007. Escobar tried unsuccessfully to meet with the boy's mother, who lived just down the street, but she was not at home that day. Sanchez, known as "Valdo" to friends, was a Mexican immigrant. He was killed in a gang-related drive-by shooting and collapsed outside the taco stand. Escobar was there as part of his involvement in a ministry called Comunidad San Dimas, launched in 1992 in response to two gang killings in one week near St. Peter Church in San Francisco. Founded by Deacon Nate Bacon and his wife, Jenny, the ministry has evolved into an outreach to young people detained in juvenile hall and youths involved in gang culture.

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .