Richard R RamosRichard R. Ramos. Founder of Parents on a Mission,Youth on a Mission, and Latino Coalition for Community Leadership

Rebuilding Trust and Giving Back: The Heart of Community Healing

13 Sept 2026 · 1 min

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1:09

In this candid conversation, Speaker A reflects on the challenge of returning to the community they once harmed, describing how they set up a makeshift office in Toronto Park and began grassroots outreach without any funding, aiming to earn respect and rebuild relationships. Speaker B acknowledges the community’s lingering doubts, noting that several residents question whether the group has truly changed. Richard R. Ramos interjects with a personal note, recalling his long‑standing connection to the speakers and mentioning the recent passing of one speaker’s father, underscoring the emotional weight behind their efforts. The dialogue highlights the tension between sincere intent and community skepticism, and the personal motivations driving the participants to give back.

Chapters

But the reality is like, okay, once we got our stuff together, I was off paper record time, 8 months. How do we give back to the community that once we did harm to? And that's the community that we both were raised in. And so going to Toronto Park, that was our office space, engaging with the community there, building relationships with them with no funding attached. Nothing connected, and, uh, just giving back. And I had a— we had to like earn the, the respect and relationships from our parents, but even the community, like, they were like, okay, who are these guys? Who's, who's this? Okay, uh, are you really— Isn't it— isn't that that guy?
I was gonna say, like, there was a handful of them that were like, um, are you sure you guys changed? Are you sure you're doing well? Like, so Yeah, yeah.
Well, let me, let me say that, um, I met you years ago. I mean, we've known each other for a long time, and I met your dad, uh, I know passed away not a few— not so long ago.