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Home > Real-Life Stories > Reoun

Real-Life Stories: Roeun Chan

Today, Lowell native Roeun Chan is a successful college student, studying industrial art at the Massachusetts College of Art and dreaming of a productive future. However, life was not always that hopeful for Roeun, who joined a gang when he was 12, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers: "Gangs run in the family where I come from," said Roeun. "Some of the kids I grew up with joined gangs because there were no male role models in their homes. Others joined because, like their refugee parents, they lost hope of rising above the pain and poverty of everyday life. Still others joined because being in a gang gave them protection, respect even, and a sense of family. I joined for some of those same reasons, but mostly I joined because I felt like I was just born into it."

Roeun decided to turn his life around after landing in a DYS detention center at 14. "Somehow I knew, no matter how beaten down my hope was, I could be more," said Roeun. "When I got out of juvenile hall, I changed my old image, got rid of the gang colors." But Roeun found it hard to stay away from his old gang friends. "I'd see them, waiting for me after school. 'Come with us. Come with us,' they'd say, wanting to get me back."

Luckily for Roeun, he found a network of people who gave him hope and guidance. On the recommendation of his probation officer, Roeun joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters ADAM Project. "The people at ADAM helped me in so many ways. Their support was like getting an advance, and it made me want to return back the favor," said Roeun. "Through the ADAM project, I learned about ways to prevent violence, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy. I got involved in many community events such as Dance 4 Peace, an annual celebration which educates youth about gang violence prevention through the art of break dancing, poetry, skits, and music. I was featured on Chronicle as part of the Channel 5 "Keeping Kids on Track" campaign and I received a State House commendation and the "Volunteer of the Year" award from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation."

The ADAM staff recognized Roeun's drive to make something of this life. Despite the fact that Roeun struggled in high school, his dream was to graduate and go on to a four-year art school. Big Brother/Sisters found a volunteer in the community to serve as a college mentor and work with Roeun to see if he could realize his dream. Based on the strength of his story, Roeun was accepted to all four colleges he applied to, including his first choice, Mass College of Art where he enrolled in 2005.

Roeun's story is a testimony to the power of our programs to transform young lives and to the long-term impact we are having on the community. "I am the only one in my family and my old network who graduated high school and is doing something with my life," said Roeun. "In the future I see myself becoming a resource and role model to other youth who want to get out of gangs."