On February 19 the Homeboys Inc came to visit the residents at the Strickland Youth Center. Agustin Lazama and Anthony Fikes joined John Eads as presenters for the Detention Assembly.

Agustin said that he had been visiting at the Strickland Youth Center since 2007.  That although he was lost in poverty and an unproductive lifestyle, he realized that the path he was on was not what he wanted for His life.  His mom had fought hard and long for him and his family to make ends meet  although he was surrounded by drugs.  There were people all around him that had things and he and his family did not.

It was not till 2003 that he recognized that he had to change.  He was in prison again and realized that this was no way for his life. He promised his daughter, 3 years old, that he would change and that his life would be better in the future.

He made that change and prayed that God would impact his life in a way that would change him forever.  Father Greg Boyle came into his life and committed himselft to pray for him.

The 8-year sentence that he had was turned into a 16-month prison sentence.  He committed his life to change and upon his release he went to Home Boys Inc. and been there ever since.  It was hard but he has stayed committed.  He stated that if he had not changed he would have been in prison for life or worse – dead.  Many of his “homies” are in prison or dead today because they choose to keep the "crazy life".

Agustin said “you can change the cycle, but you need to stand with someone.” He said that John Eads will help, he is like a Father Boyles.

Anthony Fikes  said that there were those in the room that were lost.   He stated that “you have to fight what people say about you and decide that you are going to make something positive with your life.”

Anthony stated that he had been in prison 5 times and in 3 states. He was a person that was headed to life in prison.  He realized that he could do better. That although, many had told him he was no good and that he would be a looser – He was determined to do differently. He has 4 boys and he wanted better for them

He stated that as you turn away from the old life – the people that you called “your homies” will turn on you.  They will abandon you and turn on you and  sell you out.

 Anthony speaks about having been in the penitentiary and was very worried that he was going to die; they were going to kill him in the prison.

 He saw many come in as if they liked being in the pen – Anthony stated it was not something that he liked.  He asked the question – “do you like being in the detention facility?”  “Did they like their life?”  “Or did they want to change?”  He told them to think about it and if they wanted out –determine to change

 He said. “You must look for the positive influence in your life – find the positive role models that you can follow – ones that are not headed back to detention or prison.”

  “There is nothing like freedom” he said.

 He spoke about the love of others and the part that God played in the change. He told the audience “God loves you  and He will help you change.

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 In photo  left to right. Anthony Fikes, Agustin Lazama and John Eads