Renewal: A New Father’s Perspective on Addressing Youth Violence

Garnet resident, Jose Jimenez, and his daughter Corline

“I remember walking home, playing with my friends outside, then hearing the sirens come or hearing [gunfire], then running back inside.”

Reflecting, Jose Jimenez (25) recalled a fearful moment, at an early age, when neighborhood gang violence got a little too close. It never directly harmed him or his family, but always surrounded the environment he grew up in. Now as an adult and a new father, Jose is shocked how the neighborhood violence of his youth was uncommonly common, and despite things getting better, it always has a chance to return.

“Two decades ago there was more violence in the neighborhood than today. I believe the crime rate has gone down, but it does come in waves as well.”

Just this past August, Jose and his wife Ana celebrated the birth of their beautiful daughter Corline.  Jose always knew fatherhood would change his life, but didn’t quite realize how much he would ponder the impact the environment could have on Corline growing up.  Despite the violence Jose witnessed as a child growing up in the Garnet community, he also recognized that the neighborhood had so much potential, so many beautiful elements that are often go unseen because barriers like youth violence can be so overwhelming.  Jose and Ana want their daughter to not be stuck because of the barrier of youth violence, instead they want Corline to understand the hard reality of her environment, overcome this barrier, and contribute to renewing the negative narrative associated with the community.

“I would like [my daughter] to know the situation that I had to deal with growing up in the neighborhood and that something good can come out of it... My desire for my neighborhood is that it can change from a well known gang affiliated area to a community where there are more kids going to college and graduating high school than shootings.” 

 Jose loves his neighborhood, his community, and all that his environment did to shape and mold him as a child.  He is especially proud to share this with Corline.

“The reason I still love this neighborhood is because it is always changing. Never in a million years would I imagine seeing a park next to our houses, kids playing in a safe area, or a group of individuals having a dream to help some kids. I really hope my daughter gets to experience the school I went to and the hospitality of everyone. I want her to grow up loving everyone and helping everyone.”

Like most parents, Jose & Ana’s top concern is assuring that Corline can grow up in a safe environment, not held back by the violence the neighborhood experiences. For the Jimenezs, moving away to another “safer” neighborhood may not be the quick fix that others think it might be. Instead they chose to stay close with family, be present actively renewing the community Jose grew up in, and fight to create as much opportunity for Corline to chase her future dreams whatever those may be. 

Jose’s wife Ana and Corline enjoying one of the Jimenez’s favorite places in the world, Disneyland