More than $6 million in Massachusetts will go toward stopping gang violence where it starts - with recruitment of teenagers and young adults.
Standing on the steps of the state house, Jamel Bonilla told his story - he grew up in Lawrence's projects and went to jail at 19 on weapons charges.
That's where he joined a gang.
"It's about where do you feel like you belong. And who accepts you," he said.
Thankfully, when he got out of jail, he found UTEC - the United Teen Equality Center.
"UTEC is like a save haven," he said.
It's is one of many organizations across the commonwealth that will be benefiting from $6.7 million in grants.
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Wednesday at the state house, Gov. Charlie Baker and other local lawmakers joined police chiefs from more than two dozen communities, who will put this money to good use.
While prevention and intervention is the goal, prosecution is also part of the solution - just last week, 56 alleged gang members from MS-13 were arrested.
Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said these grants over the years have gone a long way in reducing violence in the city - overall, homicides are down 16 percent and violence is down 10 percent.
