STOCKTON — Arturo Aleman pulled up to a curb last week in a city-owned pickup truck, switched on a mechanical sprayer and fired a cleansing coat of white paint over a graffiti-obliterated brick wall separating a row of north Stockton homes from a bustling thoroughfare.
In just a few seconds, thanks to Aleman’s efforts, a large, ugly and ultimately pointless black circle was gone.
And a symbolic, meaningful and ongoing circle continued.
The latter circle is one that is joining the city, a San Joaquin County Office of Education program, and at-risk 18- to 25-year-olds in a relationship that benefits everyone.
The city provides funds. The San Joaquin Regional Conservation Corps provides training and direction. The young people get opportunity, income and a purpose. Stockton’s blighted neighborhoods get a scrubbing. And around and around it goes.
“It feels good giving back to the city I grew up in and helping to make it a better place,” said Aleman, who acknowledges he spent time in Juvenile Hall during his younger days. “A lot of people say nothing good comes out of Stockton. That’s not true, and I’m proof.”
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