Gang Outreach and Prevention

Following the tragic death of William “Blinky” Rodriguez’ son in 1990, and the immediate reduction of gang violence resulting from the Valley Unity Peace Treaty he organized in 1993, Blinky’s transformative peace efforts expanded in 1994 when Communities In Schools’ (CIS) western regional director and longtime friend, Bobby Arias partnered with him to create a CIS affiliate branch in the San Fernando Valley.

Bobby Arias’ extensive experience within the academic, university, and local government communities then began to blend effortlessly with Blinky’s strategic pro-active prevention and intervention work, and together they created a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive service model.