Email peaceful.unitycc@gmail.com
Peaceful Unity Community Coalition
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About Us
About PUCC
The genesis of my non-profit, the Peaceful Unity Community Coalition, stemmed from my quest to enact meaningful change within my community. Recognizing the power of personal narrative, I felt compelled to work closely with at-risk youth who encounter similar challenges that I once faced. Who better to convey this message than someone who has traversed those very obstacles?
Central to my philosophy is the belief that children embody the future, and by sharing my experiences, I endeavor to steer them away from unfavorable decisions. Through the platform of PUCC, I provide resources and support to formerly incarcerated individuals, always mindful of the needs of victims as we strive towards reconciliation.
Our organization's emblem, featured prominently on our bespoke African American flag, encapsulates our values. Purple symbolizes resilience and nobility, while black signifies solidarity with the community. The encircling motif represents the continent, evoking the power of the sun—an enduring symbol of strength. It is my conviction that through unity, we can harness this strength for collective prosperity, denoted by the golden hue.
The pressing need for peace and unity within our community and beyond is undeniable. The era of individualism must give way to a shared sense of purpose. I fondly recall the strength of community from my own childhood, and I am adamant that its revival is imperative for societal well-being. Our coalition comprises individuals committed to effecting the change we all desire.
My Community Goal
My intention is to utilize each day of my second opportunity to positively impact as many lives as I can, serving as a Community Life Coach.
My Approach
I am convinced that every person possesses the capacity to lead a satisfying and meaningful life. My methodology revolves around fostering unity within my community, promoting self-awareness among its members, identifying shared values and objectives, and devising practical strategies to attain them.
About Peaceful Unity Community Coalition
My Background
Greetings,
My name is Aaron C. Hargrove, and I hail from Stockton, CA. My upbringing unfolded against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the zenith of the black power movement in the early 1970s. Raised by a single mother and extended family, my bond with my grandmother, as her first grandson, was particularly strong.
During my early years, life was tranquil, and simplicity reigned. I thrived in two sports and excelled academically, with mathematics holding a special place in my heart. However, the serenity of my childhood was abruptly interrupted by an epidemic that ravaged not only my community but the entire nation.
Around 1985, when I was just 13, crack cocaine emerged as the scourge of my community, leaving virtually no one untouched by its destructive reach. By the age of 15, I found myself drawn into the grip of my neighborhood gang, engaging in the sale of this drug. I became a menace within the very community that had nurtured me, descending into a cycle of escalating violence and criminality, forsaking the morals and values instilled in me during my upbringing.
At 25, I committed the gravest of sins, perpetrating a senseless act of violence that resulted in the loss of another's life. Subsequently, I was sentenced to 38 years to life in state prison, where I spent the ensuing 24 years and 7 months. It was during this time that a profound transformation occurred within me. Immersing myself in self-help and recovery groups, I embarked on a journey of personal growth. Additionally, I devoted myself to training service dogs, striving to give back to the community from which I had taken so much.
Through diligent effort, I eventually became eligible for parole, having undergone a fundamental shift in both thought and behavior. Despite spending the prime years of my life behind bars from the ages of 26 to 51, I emerged from prison with a newfound appreciation for life and a steadfast determination to make a positive impact.
To be candid, prison served as a crucible that ultimately saved my life, leaving me better equipped to navigate the world upon my release than I ever was before. Every day of my second chance will be dedicated to effecting change and touching as many lives as possible.