Oscar Pena was a fighter, and for the most part still is.
But these days he chooses to battle for his education and success rather than using his fists to make his way in life. His fighting hit a turning point when he chose to stick with Pro-Vision programs rather than joining a gang.

Oscar was stealing, using drugs, smoking and drinking by the age of 10. His rebellious behavior soon escalated when he began fighting other kids at school. But everything came to a head when he was about to fail the sixth grade. “I would have failed if it weren’t for Pro-Vision,” said Oscar.

Although entering the organization’s all-male middle
charter school helped him pass and move on to the next grade, he was still causing trouble and picking fights with other students. Like many young inner-city kids, the sixth-grader was intrigued by the brotherhood and lifestyle a gang offered. Luckily, while the gang was showing Oscar support he hadn’t experienced before, Pro-Vision was on the other side supporting him in more important ways.

“I realized that school was important to me,” Oscar said.
“And the gang didn’t support me in school, but Pro-Vision did.”

By seventh grade, Oscar began to relax and settle down more — mostly because of the guidance of Coach Roynell Young, founder of Pro-Vision. “Coach Roy spoke openly with me, and his words were genuine. Eventually, he brought out
the truth in me,” he said.

Oscar then joined the Manhood Development Program, where he began participating in community service projects. “When we started to help others out, it really changed me,” Oscar said. “It hit me. I thought, I can do something more with my time and make it worth something.”

Now 19 years old, Oscar realizes the importance of his step-father’s decision to send him to the middle charter school many years ago. He is still participating in Pro-Vision programs and is always learning more ways to develop himself. After graduating from Houston Can Academy this spring, he plans to attend college to study aviation.