A gang member at age 10 and a high school dropout as a freshman, Gilberto Esparza's 37 tattoos are all that remain of the Laredo, Texas, native's troubled youth.

        These days, the former gang member turned youth advocate is better known as a one-man resource center for Northern Kentucky's growing Hispanic population.

        “Mr. Gil,” as the energetic 44-year-old Florence man is known, has served as an interpreter in court cases and medical emergencies. He's matched dozens of employers with Spanish-speaking job seekers.

Gilberto Esparza, director of the Hispanic Resource Center in Covington, prays during the “Day of Peace” program at Lakeside Christian Church. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        As executive director of the Hispanic Resource Center in Covington, Mr. Esparza helps Northern Kentucky's Spanish-speaking newcomers understand key cultural differences, such as the fact that putting one's hands in one's pockets — a sign of submission back home — is construed as a threatening gesture by authorities in this country.

        And when 31-year-old Blas Carrasco Diaz was beaten to death in Covington last month, Mr. Esparza helped the victim's father navigate numerous legal and financial roadblocks to return his son's body to Mexico.

        The Carrascos' telephone plea for help was similar to others that Mr. Esparza has received in his seven years as an unofficial adviser to local Hispanics: “We hear you help Hispanic people.” But unlike many other situations he's handled, this one touched him deeply.

        “It broke my heart,” Mr. Esparza said. “People (in Northern Kentucky) were saying things like, "He shouldn't have been here. He's just an illegal alien.'” But I wanted people to understand that he was so much more. He was a family man who took pride in his work as a drywall installer. Every month, he'd send his entire paycheck to family back home in Mexico.”

        Before calling Mr. Esparza, the murder victim's father and brother had begged for money to reach the Mexican border, then relied on a Texas friend's generosity to fly to Kentucky.

        Once the Carrascos reached Northern Kentucky, Mr. Esparza helped them raise money for their trip home; and he acted as an interpreter, translator and unofficial legal adviser, a relative said.

        “I don't know what we would have done without his help,” said Angela Hernandez of Louisville, whose husband is the victim's cousin.

        But those who know Mr. Esparza say that's not unusual.

        “I have a lot of respect for Gil,” said Boone District Judge Michael Collins, who met Mr. Esparza about eight years ago through his work in juvenile court cases. “I think he's done everything within his power to assist the Hispanic community in a number of ways.”

        Besides using his insight as a former gang member to help troubled youths turn their lives around, the state-certified court interpreter often explains the nuances of the American legal system to Hispanic defendants, Judge Collins said.

        “From my standpoint, it helps to have someone in court to interpret and explain how the system works,” the judge said. “He's also there to hold their hand as a friend and give them support.”

        Bryan Burlew, a Florence lawyer who serves on the Hispanic Resource Center's board of directors, agreed.

        “He's as commited a gentleman as I've ever met,” Mr. Burlew said. “He's very passionate about what he's doing.”

        A former Boone County Schools employee, Mr. Esparza now works as the prevention coordinator at Covington's Glenn O. Swing Elementary School.

        The father of two teen-aged sons also juggles memberships on the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Council and this year's Leadership Northern Kentucky class with classes at Northern Kentucky University, where he's majoring in criminal justice.

        “Gilberto Esparza is by far one of the greatest assets to the Greater Cincinnati community because of his passion and perseverance on behalf of Hispanic residents,” said Warner A. Allen, a youth advocate for students at Holmes Junior High and board member for the Hispanic Resource Center. “He's very resilient and doesn't believe in giving up.”

        When he's not attending college classes or leading diversity training for Tristate companies, Mr. Esparza often can be found addressing youthful audiences about the pitfalls of gang life, and urging each one to call or e-mail him “if you ever want to talk.”.

        At last week's Day of Peace celebration in Lakeside Park, he told an audience of 700 middle and high school students “to put a circle of respect” around themselves and to resist the temptation to follow friends or family into gang life. For those already part of a gang, he urged them “to break the chain.”

        “You don't have to dig at somebody to show them how important you are,” Mr. Esparza challenged. “Get that circle of respect and draw it around you.”
       

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