Good Celebrity Discusses the Mission of New Directions for Youth with "Hot Bench" Star Larry Bakman

    LOS ANGELES, CA, April 29, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, Larry Bakman has witnessed the direct impact of gang violence on the youth and their families. He is using his celebrity platform to put an end to these criminal acts and help children in the LA-area find a path towards a more prosperous life.

"This has been an incredible experience for me because what it did, is it took me out of my role as a criminal defense attorney," the "Hot Bench" star told GoodCelebrity.com.

"It has given me a platform to try and reach people in different ways and one of the best ways I have been able to reach other people is to get involved with New Directions for Youth."

New Directions for Youth (NDY) aims to help children ages eight to 21 get off the streets. The organization invited GoodCelebrity.com's team inside its North Hollywood headquarters to get a first-hand look at how it's impacting the lives of former gang members and their families.

While visiting NDY, members of the organization, whose lives are directly affected by its mission, spoke to GoodCelebrity.com about leaving gang life. Time and time again, these members expressed how NDY saved their lives. Without NDY, they wouldn't have a resource to leave the streets and get on a path that is straight and narrow.

"If we don't save them at this point in time from the dangers of gangs, the dangers of drug abuse, the dangers of physical or sexual abuse, then we're lost," said Bakman.

Many of the children who find themselves confronted by gang life come from broken homes. They are surrounded by this activity and they believe it is the only way to live.

"These children are afraid not to become a gang member," added Bakman.

Bakman and NDY are working together to end the gang violence that is prevalent in Los Angeles and across the entire country. In LA alone, there are more than 450 gangs with 45,000 members.

To watch GoodCelebrity.com's interview with Bakman and trip to NDY, visit http://goo.gl/ItgGHm

About New Directions for Youth
New Directions for Youth (NDY) is a tax exempt 501c3 nonprofit youth development organization that provides direct services and programs to at-risk youth and families throughout the San Fernando Valley in the greater Los Angeles area.

Since its founding in 1976, NDY has provided services - free of charge - to more than 90,000 individuals. The 42 staff members of NDY love working in the community to assist at-risk kids and their families.

About GoodCelebrity.com
GoodCelebrity.com is an original content producer dedicated to shining a light on People Doing Good . They focus on the overall positive contributions of celebrities (and other people of note) as well as "good" organizations committed to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

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