mandatory for them and the residents. His father would take them to church every Sunday and Wednesday. At first, Jesse was a bit skeptical about attending as it was far different than he was used to while attending Saint Bonaface Catholic Church in Elmont, NY, with his grandparents. Eventually, Jesse became fond of the church, getting saved at 13. He joined the church's Royal Rangers Program for youth and looked forward to attending every Wednesday. Jesse became a devout Christian after getting saved, often being made fun of in school for bringing his bible and preaching to other students. He would attend all of his father's sermons, and at one point, Jesse asked if he could preach a sermon to the program residents about the Ten Commandments. His father allowed it, and at 13, he had his first experience with public speaking. Soon after his preaching experience, his father was transferred to the Bronx, NY, to pioneer a branch facility. Unfortunately, it was shut down by the Fire Marshal for not meeting the fire code. Jesse's father then got a night security position at the World Trade Center, and they moved to the Allerton Coops' , a low- income housing unit in Bronx Park East. With his father working late nights, Jesse fell away from his Christian faith, hanging out with the wrong crowd and experimenting with drugs and alcohol at a young age. His father, who has a background in law enforcement and has mentored troubled youth, believed Jesse needed to be put in a program like New Life for Youth. Jesse began hanging out with a local street gang, " The Bloods," when he turned 14. He became rebellious after his father re- married and would engage in various criminal activities with the gang. At one point, his father overheard a conversation Jesse had
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