Gabriel Alfaro is an Outreach Educator of Fathers and Families of San Joaquin and is dedicated to help young adults in the community.
The youngest of five children, Alfaro was born and raised in Stockton and attended Stagg High School. It was during his high school years that he was first introduced to Fathers and Families of San Joaquin.
“I got involved through a program called ‘El Joven Noble’ [Noble Youth Program] at Stagg High School and they wanted the worst of the worst [students] at that school. I was advancing and getting out of trouble but then funds for the program were gone,” says Alfaro.
For a long time Alfaro belonged to the “worst of the worst” crowd, as he described. “I was back at the streets, doing drugs and getting involved in gangs.”
Sammy Nuñez and Norman were Alfaro`s mentors, and even after the program ended they continued helping him. They “literally pulled me out of bed, as they wanted me to continue going to school,” shared Alfaro.
Alfaro volunteered with Fathers and Families of San Joaquin for five years, and now works for the non-profit as an outreach educator. Today, Alfaro works with young fathers and men, helping them reconnect with their families. “I walked in their shoes and they can trust that I connect with them on that level.”
For him, one of problems in society is the lack of employment among youth: “If we had more jobs for youth and young men, crime rates and everything else will go down.”
Alfaro is also the father of a baby girl. Being a parent at such young age, plus school and work is “very hard,” noted Alfaro. “My daughter is the reason that I am doing this, so that she won`t grow up in the same environment that I did.”
Alfaro still faces several challenges due to his background.” The Stockton Police Department has me under a gang affiliation, but I’m showing them that I am committed to this community.”
In the future, Alfaro wants to be part of the Stockton Unified School District’s Board, “I want to make a change in the school system for the youth.” He believes that, “People running the schools need to start asking the youth what they need and want so that they can succeed and continue their education.”
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