Chavez’s Legacy Gives Hope to Young Inmates

Beto, a 17-year-old from Torrance charged with murder, hasn’t had much hope the last seven months.

He may have found some Saturday while he and other youths at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey performed in a play about Cesar E. Chavez, part of the county’s Cesar Chavez week celebration.

“These kids were free today,” said Eric Chavez, the eldest grandson of the legendary farm worker and union leader.

“Seeing my grandfather’s legacy continued is very touching. His life brought many people hope. We are bringing this hope to the kids of Los Padrinos when they need it most.”

The teenagers at the facility learned about Chavez’s life from members of Public Allies Los Angeles, a nonprofit group of 18- to 30-year-olds who take leadership training to work in community groups.

“This was a good experience,” said Ruben, a 17-year-old gang member charged with assault with a deadly weapon. “It gave me the chance to learn about Cesar Chavez, because I didn’t know much about him. Plus, it also got me out of my room.”

Ruben narrated the play, performed by both inmates and members of Public Allies. Beto played the role of Chavez.

“They are not in a hopeless situation,” said Ashanta Stoner, a 29-year-old member of Public Allies, about the inmates. “They can find a way out. Many thought Cesar Chavez was in a hopeless situation, but he found a way to succeed.”

After the performance, three boys and two girls helped plant a tree in the center of Los Padrinos in memory of Chavez’s life and work.

All of the county’s 22 juvenile facilities held a celebration commemorating the life of Chavez. The county also held its first community service week in his memory, encouraging employees to volunteer time helping others. A total of 750 county employees signed up, said Angie Romero, a spokeswoman for Supervisor Gloria Molina.

At Los Padrinos, Rafael Gonzalez, executive director of Public Allies, said he hoped the play would “impact their lives in a positive way, so when they are released from juvenile hall they will have a better sense of what it means to be a leader.”