Anthony Ortiz Jr.
Anthony Ortiz Jr. was raised in the gang culture. His father, a former gang member, left the gang lifestyle to become a pastor and eventually became a nationally recognized expert in the field of gang intervention and prevention services. Due to his leadership and expertise in working with hardcore, gang-involved youth, he helped to develop and implement the San Jose Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force. In 1992, Pastor Ortiz received national recognition for developing programs that successfully turn gang-prone youth away from gangs. Together they run California Youth Outreach, an organization dedicated to reaching out to all gang-impacted youth, their families, and their communities through education service.
