My name is German Yambao; I am a 48-year-old Filipino, born in the Philippines.  My family migrated to America when I was nine years old for a better future.  I lived and grew up in San Francisco at South Market. Thirty days after our arrival my father died in a factory accident, which affected me in a negative way.   So my transition as a youth in America was difficult, especially without a father figure; I guess you could say it was culture shock. 

Growing up I never had a role model or someone to look up to.  At the age of ten, I started a life of crime; Stealing, robbing, using and selling drugs and murder.  I got involved in a notorious gang in San Francisco.  During the time I was banging, I was shot, arrested for miscellaneous felonies and sentenced to the youth authority on numerous occasions.  Five months after I turned eighteen, I was arrested for murder, convicted and sentenced to seventeen years to life in state prison.  In all reality, prison didn’t change me; I still had that criminal mentality and was still caught up in the lifestyle.  It wasn’t until I became a Christian that a transformation occurred in my life and at that point, I began to educate myself.

During my incarceration I received a High School Diploma, Associate of Arts Degree, became a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and received a Ministry Certificate from Patton College.  In addition, I got involved in R.E.A.L., (Reach & Educate Adolescent Lives) Choices and Squires, (San Quentin Utilization of Inmate Resources, Experience and Studies) Program.  I later became involved in I.M.P.A.C.T., (Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish things). , a Fatherhood Enrichment & Male Accountability Program.  I was trained as a facilitator.

On October 16, 2007, after serving 28 years and three months in prison, I was paroled from San Quentin State Prison and a few months after I was released I was hired to work for Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, (BHNC).  I was hired as a Lead case manager and Outreach Coordinator.  Then in September 2008, I resigned from BHNC and started working with United Playaz Organization, a violence prevention program.  I am a Case Manager working with youth that are involved with the juvenile justice system.  Since my release, I have gotten married and recently had a baby.  Today I am a productive citizen in our society and making a difference in society.