VALLEY MENTOR SPEAKS FROM EXPERIENCE COUNSELOR SHARES STORIES FROM HIS YOUTH TO HELP START KIDS OFF IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Byline: ALEJANDRO GUZMAN Valley News Writer

Growing up in a neighborhood surrounded by gangs, racial violence, drugs and alcohol, Juan Padron, aka Johnny, was not always a role model for kids.

Living across the street from Hubert H. Humphrey Recreation Center in the late 1980s and early 1990s did not always make it easy to avoid trouble.

Throughout those years, the park was one of Pacoima's high-profile zones for gang activity and violence, said Gang Unit Detective Supervisor Vincent Vicari of the Los Angeles Police Department's Foothill Division. There were ongoing battles between rival gangs for turf and racially incited beatings.

Things have really changed since then. Vicari said the park has been relatively quiet for nearly a year. He credits the Community Law Enforcement and Recovery program for the improvements. Initiated in 1996, the program targeted areas with high gang activity.

For Padron, things have also dramatically improved.

Now, Padron lives life as a role model, with street credibility. Through the Lanark Recreation Center in Canoga Park, he works closely with young people who depend on him just as he once did on others.

Padron was born in San Luis de la Paz, a city in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. He was only 7 years old when his parents decided to move the family -- him and his four brothers and six sisters -- to Pacoima.

He went to Broadus Elementary School before attending Maclay Middle School and later Kennedy High School. Maclay was a school that already had a reputation for racial tension. Fights between African-Americans and Mexican-Americans often took place.

Padron was about 11 years old when he started hanging out at Humphrey Park. He took part in sports and activities, when they were available.

But other times, he says, he would ``hang out with the fellas.'' Activities included drinking, fighting and using drugs.

Padron says because he lived right across the street from the park, he could go hang out any time he was bored, which often led to trouble.

Still, he does not regret the choices he made.

``I learned a lot from it,'' Padron said. ``It helped me develop into the person I am today.''

He feels his experiences on the streets enable him to help today's kids more than someone with no personal street knowledge.

Padron said that although pressures may be the same for kids today, they are a lot smarter.

He credits the flow of information with educating the youth. People are more open talking about sex, drugs and gangs.

Padron says he will sometimes overhear kids talking tough about joining or knowing a gang. He is quick to approach them about the matter.

``I try to give them a heads-up ... explain the consequences to them,'' Padron said.

And because the kids know he speaks from experience, they listen.

He said more programs for kids means fewer kids with nothing to do.

One program, Keep Youth Doing Something, helps kids who cannot afford to pay to be on sports teams or other programs to join in group activities. He has been working for this program about 13 years.

Through KYDS, Padron has coached street hockey, soccer, handball, basketball and softball teams. The teams participate in leagues and events created by KYDS.

Padron learned hard lessons early in life. At 15, he remembers being fed up with watching his homeboys getting hurt or in trouble. Sometimes guys would get jumped and end up in the hospital.

The turning point for him was when he realized people would judge him based on his looks. He wanted to prove them wrong.

Now, he wants to help teens prove wrong those people who have judged them. Even though he says some people try to avoid working with the older kids, he prefers it.

``I like to deal with the teens,'' Padron said. ``I like the challenge.''

He wants teens to know they should not let anyone get them down. They are good kids just looking to be a part of something, he said.

Many times, they mess up and people do not give them a second chance, Padron says. Someone gave him a second chance and he will do the same for today's kids.

``I tell them, A lot of people have disappointed you, but I won't,'' Padron said.

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Juan Padron works with youth at Lanark Recreation Center in Canoga Park.