Believe Quote by Greg Boyle
“I do believe in lessons learned. I have learned that you work with gang members and not with gangs; otherwise, you enforce the cohesion of gangs and supply them oxygen.”
About This Quote
Emphasizes working with individuals, not groups, to avoid strengthening gang cohesion and instead disrupt their support structures.
In simple terms: Engage individuals, not gangs.
Key Takeaway
Focus on personal connections to weaken group dynamics.
Themes
social work
gang prevention
community
Mood
thoughtful
pragmatic
Type
social
strategic
When to use this quote
- rehabilitation programs
- outreach
- policy making
Key Concepts
individual empowerment
systems thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you build trust with gang members?
- What alternatives replace the group’s “oxygen”?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched group identities is challenging.
![“We [people] all need each other. Gangs do try to fill that void - but they can't do what healthy, balanced, and coherent families and communities can do. Let's strengthen our core relationships from the start - and all the way through a young person's life. This is the best way to avoid the growth…” quote by Luis J. Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5f3/luis-j-rodr-guez-15197_balanced_we-people-all-need-each-other-gangs-do-t_933688.jpg)
