July 14, 2005


Swinging to end gang violence

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Anyone who used to belong to a gang described it as a life sentence—until Jim Brown found a way to pull them from the streets and turn them into teachers.

Ronnie Lott

Now he’s turning golfers into givers and preachers into believers, as a convergence of celebrities, athletes, and churchgoers teed off in a scramble to raise funds for Brown’s foundation, Amer-I-Can.

“There’s more to it than you can describe,” said Brown. “It’s a movement toward stopping a lot of the violence and bringing the community back—creating serious bonds.”

Revered as one of the greatest fullbacks in National Football League history during his career (1957–65) with the Cleveland Browns, Brown turned in his shoulder pads to rub shoulders with some of the most violent, troubled, and forgotten youth in America—gang members. Over the years, he’s found a successful formula to help troubled kids learn how to be self-reliant, and in doing so, choose to be a positive influence in society. He founded Amer-I-can in 1988 and his work cannot be missed.

With an admitted past involving the infamous Hells Angels circles, Jubilee Pastor Dick Bernal said he understands gang mentality a little bit and sees the potential in Brown’s formula. He also knows how complicated fundraising can be. For 20 years he’s hosted charity golf tournaments for a variety of causes and after meeting Brown, put a three-year deal on the table that will enable the program to spread from Oakland to East Palo Alto and East San Jose.

“We’re teaching children how to be responsible for their own actions,” said Brown. “A lot of these kids never grew up with that, never had it and never understood it. They have to function in a world filled with problem solving and if you’re going to deal with a human being’s development, you deal with problem.”

“After getting to know him and feeling his heart, I wanted to help him,” says Bernal. “He’s pretty much doing this all himself.”

Another Hall of Famer, Ronnie Lott, emerged from the 120 players in a tournament that raised the initial $100,000 to get the project underway.

“This is a great way to help our community and a way to help Pastor Dick with what he’s trying to do in creating an environment where young people have a chance,” said Lott. “And then of course, the legend Jim Brown, when he calls, you step up. Here he is in our back yards trying to make a difference and you can’t be immune to crime. You can’t be immune to gangs. In today’s world, you’ve got to be proactive. It’s not like it was in the 60s.”

Brown’s philosophy centers around teaching kids communication, problem solving, and decision-making skills, along with how to manage money and understanding drug abuse, because he says, “when you change their thinking, they have ownership of themselves.”

“Our budget for the next three years is $1.5 million and I’m hoping to raise that, as well as a $14 million project for our Youth Center,” said Bernal. “I’m stretching myself a little thin, but I so believe in what Jim is doing and it’s very personal to me.”

Brown’s philosophy centers around teaching kids communication, problem solving, and decision-making skills, along with how to manage money and understanding drug abuse, because he said, “when you change their thinking, they have ownership of themselves.”

Others, including San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis and Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez have thrown their support in as well.

Even First Lady Laura Bush wants in on the action, offering to keep her office open for both Amer-I-Can and Jubilee to fight gangs together.

“I guarantee you she will be involved with this because she wants to be involved with it,” Bernal said.

There’s some people here who can make a difference,” said Lott. “And we need to step up.”