MEET MATEO, Convicted. Lost. Hungry for attention in the neighborhood. That was the old story. But becoming a young dad changed something. It made him lean in. He had always heard God’s voice—now, he’s listening to His direction. Inside, Mateo is using this time not as a setback, but as an incubator—a space to grow into the man God is calling him to be. He’s serious now. Focused. Starting Bible studies in his unit. Building spiritual muscle behind the walls—so when the door opens, he’s ready. Mateo isn’t just hoping for change. He’s preparing for it. Ready to trust. Ready...

MEET TYRELL,  It’s not easy to leave the life.It’s even harder to leave your family behind when they’re still in it. But Tyrell knows it’s necessary.He’s ready for something different.Something real. His first bold step?Baptism. Not as a performance.Not as a quick fix.But as a declaration. Tyrell said, “I’m willing to make the choices. I’m willing to trust God. But I need y’all help.” That’s honesty.That’s courage.That’s the beginning of change. At Modern Abolition, we believe no one should walk this road alone.When youth like Tyrell step into new life, we step in with them—With mentors.With prayer.With community.With practical tools...

MEET TONY,  He’s young. Smart. Observant.You wouldn’t guess from the outside, but something deep is shifting in him. Tony recently made the boldest decision of his life:He chose to get baptized. It wasn’t a performance.It wasn’t for attention.It was a declaration. He said, “I’m tired of the old life. I want to try God.” Coming from a background marked by survival, betrayal, and the pressure to always “stay hard”—this choice speaks volumes. In a place where vulnerability can feel dangerous, Tony chose faith.In a system built on isolation, he chose connection.In a culture pushing violence, he chose peace. Baptism wasn’t...

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...