MEET FRANCO, 

When you first meet him, you can’t help but notice his infectious smile and child‑like energy. But once you get to know him, you realize he’s had a challenging childhood: a mom battling mental health issues, verbal abuse, low self‑esteem, and a deep hunger for family and belonging. That’s where the gangs came in. They welcomed him and offered what he was searching for. Now he’s facing a long sentence in YDF.

Franco is open to the Word of God—he welcomes it. He’s smart, and he understands how Scripture applies to life. However, he’s still wrestling with the “loyalty” he found in his gang and how he could possibly walk away from people he considers family to pursue God and a life that won’t risk his freedom.

Here’s his reality—and the reality of so many other youth: it’s hard to trust God when the people who were supposed to love you (and say they love God) failed you or hurt you.

You can’t rush trust. It grows when people keep showing up without pushing an agenda.
Every convo. Every prayer. Every honest, challenging question. That is where God moves.

*Name & photo have been changed to protect privacy.