Building a new life

Re “L.A. gang members go union,” May 21

Thank you for your article about former gang members finding solid employment and positive direction in their lives through work in construction. I believe that the vast majority of gang-associated youth would take advantage of the opportunity to learn job skills and work for a decent wage if that opportunity existed. Instead of creating those opportunities, we throw vast sums of money at suppression and incarceration, while our prisons and jails are breeding grounds for more gang violence.

In my neighborhood, the Youthbuild program at Venice Community Housing Corp. has been training at-risk young people in construction trades and other job skills for years, with amazing results. While the state spends billions on more prisons, programs like Youthbuild struggle to keep up their minimal funding. Hopefully, our representatives will read your article and rethink their priorities.

JOHN RAPHLING

Venice

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How heartwarming to read about these men who have worked hard to change their lives by opting out of gang life. I am proud of them for using their minds, bodies and bravery for work that contributes such good to our society. Their ability to change and do good things is a wonderful example for their families and for us all.

LISA GOLDWAG KASSNER

Northridge