Gilbert Salinas

Outreach Program Director and Violence Prevention Specialist

 

Gilbert has been confined to a wheelchair for over seventeen years, after being accidentally shot by one of his friends. He spent weeks in a coma and months undergoing intensive therapy at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California.

Mr. Salinas was raised in Los Angeles surrounded by violence, drugs, and guns. He experienced the streets first hand and understands many of the kids that he works with in South Los Angeles and thousands of youth that he has reached throughout the United States.

Contact Information:

 

 

 

• Date of Injury: March 10th 1991
• Type of Injury: Gunshot Wound/ T12 Incomplete Paraplegic
• Education:
• Bachelor of Science Human Service/ Organizational Management/ SpringField College
• Occupation:
• Outreach Program Director
  

Mr. Salinas has received many local and national awards for his excellent work in the field of violence prevention/gang intervention.

He has shared a podium at conferences with President Bill Clinton, State Assembly members, City Council members, and other dignitaries. Gilbert was a part of the planning and review committee for the Surgeon General, Dept of Health and Human Services, Report on Youth Violence. He is a Past Chairman of the Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, and was a part of the Transition Team for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Most recently he has been appointed to the oversight committee by the Mayor’s office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development Program.

“My dedication to the cause of preventing violence stems from the need to help in the healing process for those that have suffered and for those that need not suffer.”