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Transforming Lives: From Petty Crimes to Entrepreneurial SuccessA group of Oakland youth are turning their lives around, thanks to the intervention of a group of caring adults who saw them heading down the wrong path and decided to take action. What started as a group of teens breaking into cars and stores has now blossomed into a thriving car detailing business, where they are learning valuable skills and building a brighter future.

Empowering Youth to Forge a New Path

From Stealing to Starting a Business

The members of the HomeBoyz Detailing Service, ranging in age from 8 to their early teens, were once caught up in a cycle of petty crimes, breaking into cars and stores across the Bay Area. Draymond Wilkes, an 8th grade student, admitted that he started stealing when he was just 12 years old, driven by the lure of easy money. "I mean, sometimes I would tell myself not to do it," he said, "but then I would still end up doing it either way because it was the money that was making me keep on doing it."Despite the threat of jail time, the group continued to engage in these unlawful activities, unable to break free from the allure of quick cash. "I always had that feeling in my body that was just, like, you know, you're not supposed to be doing this," said King McClendon, another member of the HomeBoyz Detailing Service. "If you get caught, your mom not coming to get you."

A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything

The turning point came when Zirl Wilson, the CEO of Lu Lu's House, a non-profit organization that works with homeless and troubled youth, encountered the group while shopping at the Eastmont Mall CVS. He witnessed them stealing everything they could from the store and decided to intervene. "That was me at that age and it was that's a pipeline of prison," Wilson said. "So me not saying something and me knowing what I know would have been wrong for me to do and just sit by and just watch it."Wilson and his team of partners went from being strangers to becoming mentors for the young men, guiding them towards a more positive path. Over time, they helped the group start their own car wash business, HomeBoyz Detailing Service, where they could earn money legally and build a sustainable future.

Transforming Lives Through Mentorship and Opportunity

The impact of this intervention has been profound. The once-troubled youth are now excelling in school, participating in community meetings and cleanups, and taking pride in their newfound entrepreneurial venture. "I feel proud because where they came from," Wilson said. "I see the changes. The subtle changes. The big changes. The way they dress. The way they approach people. The way they talk to people. How grateful they are."The group's commitment to their education is also being rewarded. As long as they maintain a 3.0 grade point average and continue the program, all eight members will receive full-ride scholarships to college, thanks to a commitment from sports agent and Oakland native Aaron Goodwin.

Inspiring Others to Follow in Their Footsteps

The success of the HomeBoyz Detailing Service has not gone unnoticed. The group's weekly Saturday car wash, funded with help from Argent Materials and the Oakland Private Industry Council, has become a source of inspiration for others in the community. "Some people could be watching us," McClendon said. "They probably might want to change their life too because watching other kids changing their life and not doing the bad stuff that they used to do."Wilson now hopes that the community's continued support will allow him and the group to expand their resources and help more troubled youth find their way to a brighter future. "I see the changes. The subtle changes. The big changes. The way they dress. The way they approach people. The way they talk to people. How grateful they are," he said, reflecting on the remarkable transformation he has witnessed.The journey of the HomeBoyz Detailing Service serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of mentorship, opportunity, and the human spirit. These once-troubled youth have proven that with the right guidance and support, anyone can turn their life around and achieve remarkable success.