Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center - PCRC

Always Running, Revisited

nresendez — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:51:59 +0000

It’s been many years since I read Luis J. Rodriguez’ bestselling, award-winning memoir Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. In anticipation of his keynote address at PCRC’s upcoming fundraiser luncheon on June 14th, I spent a good 30 minutes fruitlessly searching for my personal copy. I finally resigned myself to the idea that it had been filched by one of my cousins, and I headed to my local bookstore to reacquaint myself with the prose of Mr. Rodriguez.

It didn’t take long to remember how beautifully he writes, with what precision and command. The story of his early life is infused with sadness, like in this short paragraph where he becomes entranced by the violence a clica called Thee Mystics deliver to his middle school:

““I froze as the head-stomping came dangerously my way. But I was also intrigued. I wanted this power. I wanted to be able to bring a whole school to its knees and even make teachers squirm. All my school life until then had been poised against me: telling me what to be, what to say, how to say it. I was a broken boy, shy and fearful. I wanted what Thee Mystics had; I wanted the power to hurt somebody.”

Other sections reveal his astounding gift for rhythm and imagery: his poet’s voice.

“Along the spine of the night, through the shrubbery, on the coarse roads, past the peeling shacks, past the walls filled with the stylized writing that proclaimed our existence, past La India’s shed where boys discovered the secret of thighs, in the din of whispers, past Berta’s garden of herbs and midnight incantations, past the Japo’s liquor store, past the empty lots scattered around the barrio we called ‘the fields,’ overlooking Nina’s house, pretty Nina, who lavished our dreams, there you’d find the newest and strongest clique. There you’d find the Animal Tribe.”

The beauty of this language, juxtaposed with the grim reality of the author’s life in East L.A., is only one of the reasons why Always Running is a meaningful experience for readers. The story of Mr. Rodriguez’ early life is a reminder, too, of how little has changed for some of our youth, and how vital PCRC’s work continues to be in our community.

We hope you are as excited as we are to welcome Luis J. Rodriguez as our Keynote Speaker on June 14th. Sponsorships and tickets are still available!

June 14, 2012- Luncheon!

nresendez — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:33:32 +0000

The Board and Executive Director invite you to attend our Be the Key: Transform Your Community Fundraiser Luncheon. Acknowledging Mr. John Bejerano for the John McNellis Award and Chief Susan Manheimer & The San Mateo Police Department for the Community Partnership Award with Keynote Speaker Luis Rodriguez.

Deadline to buy tickets: May 21, 2012
2012 Luncheon Invitation

Now Hiring: Community Facilitator

nresendez — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:26:38 +0000

The Community Facilitator promotes authentic community involvement, especially by those who have not previously participated in community affairs, through meeting facilitations, meeting management, dialogue and outreach.

Some Qualifications:
• Bachelor /Associate Degree or minimum of three years work experience in related field.
• Proven ability and history to nurture and sustain relationships with the African
American community.
• Strong meeting management and facilitation skills.

For more information: Community_Facilitator Position

Now hiring: Manager of Violence Prevention Programs

nresendez — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:21:48 +0000

The Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC), a non-profit organization serving San Mateo County, fosters collaborative engagement by bringing people together, facilitating conversation and building these skills in our community. PCRC seeks an experienced professional in the field of youth violence prevention to lead this dynamic and growing area of PCRC’s work.

For more information: Violence Prevention Manager Position

My Life through the Lenses

nresendez — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:40:11 +0000

Join PCRC for “My Life through the Lenses,” an event coordinated by South San Francisco High School’s Emerging Leaders Project. The Emerging Leaders Project is a program run by PCRC at South San Francisco High School that works with young men. The program focuses on leadership development, youth empowerment, and social justice. Tonight the youth will host a photo exhibit, raise money for an end of the year field trip, as well as perform. Please come and support the youth! The event will be from 4-8 pm at the SSFHS cafeteria.

Address: 400 B Street South San Francisco, CA 94080