GENARO
It’s OK. They are doing me a favor. I feel I ruined a lot of people’s lives. Now it’s my chance to make things better.”
~ Genaro
Born in Texas to migrant farmworkers, Genaro joined a gang when he was 13 years old, soon after his father passed away. He explains, “Growing up I joined a gang because I was mad. I was pissed at the world.”
After two decades of gang membership, during which he recruited his brother and cousins, he served several short stints in jail and under community supervision. Those convictions led to about $5,600 in court-imposed debt, and he still owes $2,800. He also had to pay $230 per week for five months of work release and $170 per week for 5.5 months for home monitoring. Although money is tight, Genaro is finishing up his degree in Human Services, Substance Abuse Counseling. At the same time, Genaro works with at-risk youth, helping them find their way that doesn’t include joining a gang. But he will have to pay off all of his court before the state will issue him a professional license. Says Genaro about paying off that court debt, “It’s ok, they are doing me a favor.”
For his portrait session, Genaro chose to stand before a mural at Skagit Valley Community College. That mural, by artist Benjamin Swatez. That mural portrays various aspects of Latino culture, Including a howling coyote covered in Aztec symbols, mandalas, medicine elders, corn, silhouetted dancers and workers.
