Gabriel's* Story at Catalyst CT
Catalyst CT works to ensure the safe and healthy development of youth, young adults, and families by actively engaging organizations, public officials, and community leaders around issues that matter most to the community.
“I meet with Harry like four times a week,” Gabriel says about his mentor from Catalyst CT’s violence prevention program, StreetSafe Bridgeport, which works to reduce youth violence in the city by creating a safe environment where youth can develop relationships with outreach workers and share their challenges, concerns, needs, and hopes for the future. “The mentors at StreetSafe played a big role in helping me to be myself. They’re always telling me, don’t listen to what people think, always go for it if that’s your dream, and don’t be afraid to pursue your goal.”
With the support of Harry and StreetSafe, Gabriel has remained focused on his goals despite distractions in his neighborhood. He says, “I don’t put myself in a bad environment. I know a lot of people in gangs and involved in violence. My mom and dad have been to jail before. But I try to keep myself away from that.” Instead, he meets with Harry and StreetSafe mentors at a local community center to eat, meet new people in the program, and think about andplan for his future. Harry has helped Gabriel to be more open, work on his mindset, and stay focused on his goals.
Gabriel knows his experience is not unique in Bridgeport and he plans to be part of changing that for young people in his hometown. So that he can better support and empower youth facing similar challenges, he joined the Bridgeport police cadets and plans to enroll in the police academy when he turns 21, as well as start his own nonprofit, the Bridgeport Youth Committee.
“I hate to hear that our young people can’t live a life or go to school, get an education, and get a career. Instead, they’re out there on the streets. My nonprofit is about advocating for youth, the challenges that they face every day, such as mental health, violence, brutality, and education. I want to be a voice for youth.”
Gabriel wants to impart the lessons he learned from his StreetSafe mentors to the next generation of Bridgeport youth. “I want young people to stay away from the negative things. If you know that there’s positive people around, stay around them so you can pursue your goal and be yourself.”
*This story uses a pseudonym.