What began in 1988 as a way of improving the lives of former gang members is now impacting the lives of those in Rochester. Growing up in a household plagued by drugs, violence and gangs, Jose Arellano was shaped to become accustomed to a lifestyle he never wanted.

“I grew up in a lot of fear and insecurities and then and then one day I chose to submerge to be a part of it, you know, and I became a gang member and I became violent,” Vice President of Homeboy Industries, Arellano, said.

Spending many of his years incarcerated, it wasn’t until his last prison term that he had received the news of his mother’s passing. turning a new page in Arellano’s life.

“Just so much loss and so much pain,” Arellano said. “And I got to a point in my life where I thought, like, there was no hope for me. And when my mother died, I think something inside of me broke. You know, and I know it sounds crazy, but my mother did more for me in death than she was able to do for me in life. The death of my mother was like the beginning of a new life for me.”

Seeking help at the largest gang rehabilitation, training and supporting formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people. Arellano and former gang member turned Hollywood actor, Richard Cabral, both invested in their road to recovery.

“If you're about it, there's only two places you end up, dead or you end up in prison,” Cabral said. “And so at 20 years old, I had found a life sentence. I was fighting 35 years to life. So God's awakening was there. And I felt that if I didn't take that as a blessing or as an awakening, that my next…I wouldn't have a next, I wouldn't have another opportunity.”

Growing up as a second generation gang member, Cabral’s family has been involved with gangs since the 1970’s. Incarcerated at the age of 13 and released at the age of 25, Cabral sought after a change.

“For so long I was identified by my record,” Cabral said. “Upon my release I entered Homeboy Industries. I didn't know what to expect, but sure enough, I met Father Greg and that moment changed my life. He gave me a job, but more than likely he gave me hope. And that's what we're trying to bring forth to Rochester.”

Sharing his story of transformation at the Rochester Hope First Saturday Service Festival in partnership with Huther Doyle, both Cabral and Arellano are visiting Rochester for several days in hopes of sparking more change within the community.

“At one time in my life, I was transmitting my pain,” Arellano said. “Like, you know, they say hurt people, hurt people. And I feel like now that I have been able to transform my pain into healing. Like I'm able to invite people into that space. And that feels so good.”

Understanding firsthand the struggles and barriers many individuals may face, Arellano and Cabral believe advocating for the most marginalized communities will set a solid foundation for every homeboy and homegirl’s future.

“This is where this is our point of focus,” Cabral said. “Rochester, we're going to be all over. We were in the detention center. We were with the mayor. We're all over Rochester. But our heart speaks right here at St. Michael's for definitely there's much work, but I believe that the heart is going to be right here. Because if this could work here, how could it not work anywhere else.”