In over two decades of work in juvenile justice, Christina Puentes has seen 95 kids die by gang violence.

The number is “way too many,” she said. It’s why she’s continued her work trying to get youth to put down their weapons.

Puentes retired about two years ago from her career working with young people involved in gangs who were in Oregon Youth Authority custody.

In July, she started a version of the program, called Street Smarts, for youth in the Marion County Juvenile Department.

There, she works with preteens and teenagers tied to gangs to get them to confront dangerous behavior and relationships. It’s intended to help youth before they’ve been convicted of a serious crime.

“My goal is to get them to change their behavior, and in turn, if that gets them to walk away from the gang,

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