Word In The Hood

Word In The Hood was created to reach out to at risk youth. Our goal is to get the truth to the youth about the dangers of drugs and gangs. We have a real world approach based on facts and experience. No child should suffer the effects of gangs and drugs without having the facts you can't get anywhere but from experience. I have that experience to share with our youth and the alternative to save l

ives. Word In The Hood was founded by Leonardo Lechuga, an ex gang member who grew up on the streets of Aurora, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Having joined gangs at the age of 12 he has seen the worst a person could see about gangs and drugs. By the age of 18 he was so deep into the gang life that he was risking his life and freedom daily and witnessing those who had lost their lives or freedom to the gangs or drugs. When he finally grew up he learned of another way. He learned that he had been lied to for years about what it meant to be in a gang. He learned that the gang life was not what it was portrayed to be. He learned more than anything, there was a way out. There was still a chance to succeed in life. He was released from prison in 2006 and has since co-authored a book on martial arts and self defense. He has lead prison ministries for his local church and has reached out to youth and spoken out against gang violence and drugs. He has been invited to schools and youth centers to speak to the kids and tell his story. He is currently writing a book about his life in hopes of it reaching many more children and adults a like and give them hope. Join us in the fight to combat gangs and drugs that are robbing our youth of the right to grow up and succeed in life!