The
Life
of
Antonio
Many
people
grew
up
like
Antonio,
so
Antonio's
story
appears
sad.
Having
been
projected
as
a
failure,
he
became
a
statistic,
despite
his
awareness,
he
wanted
to
do
better,
although
he
was
unable
to.
Antonio’s
story
exemplifies
the
power
of
local
initiatives
to
transform
the
lives
of
adolescents
Sanni
2
at
risk.
Growing
up
in
an
environment
characterized
by
neglect
and
exposure
to
gang
activity,
Antonio
encountered
multiple
problems
that
considerably
enhanced
the
chance
of
his
engagement
in
criminal
behavior.
His
life
could
have
gone
in
a
different
and
more
promising
direction
if
there
had
been
more
after-school
activities,
mentoring
programs,
or
other
intervention
measures
accessible
in
his
neighborhood.
Criminal
behavior
among
at-risk
youth
can
be
reduced
via
participation
in
community-based
programs.
Sampson
(2008)
found
that
programs
like
this
had
a
good
effect
on
youth,
specifically
highlighting
their
ability
to
provide
a
secure
and
beneficial
setting
for
kids
like
Antonio.
These
programs
can
be
a
lifeline
for
at-risk
youth
by
providing
them
with
guidance,
academic
support,
and
enrichment
activities
that
provide
an
alternative
to
a
life
of
crime.
These
community-based
programs
helped
Antonio
connect
with
like-minded
individuals
and
gave
him
a
sense
of
purpose
and
belonging
in
his
local
community.
They
missed
an
opportunity
to
give
him
the
kind
of
enriching
experiences
that
would
have
led
him
away
from
crime
and
towards
a
life
of
learning
and
development.
By
funding
initiatives
like
these,
society
can
provide
formerly
incarcerated
people
like
Antonio
a
second chance
at
a
productive
life.
