LENDING A HAND FORMER GANG MEMBER TURNS HIS LIFE AROUND.

As one of two outreach counselors at the Tarzana Treatment Center, Mario Castillo is a friend to the downtrodden and the destitute.

He's a mentor to those down on their luck, who are battling their addictions, or struggling to stay out of gangs.

With a warm smile and a helping hand, he offers advice and solutions to those who feel helpless.

``If I run into somebody on the streets, I'll educate them, I'll be their friend, I'll offer them help so they can get on their feet,'' said Castillo, 39. ``We all start at the bottom. When you're trying to change your life, when you're addicted or homeless, you have nothing. So to get back on their feet, they gotta start somewhere.''

Complete story on Page 8

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Mario Castillo, left, spent a lot of years overcoming anger, addiction and a lifetime in a gang to become one of Tarzana Treatment Center's outreach counselors.

Jason Kandel/Valley News