Brothers try to right wrong

In 2003, the 311 Boyz took part in numerous assaults on random victims in the Northwest part of the valley. Nine suspects, including brothers Anthony and Brandon Gallion, were accused of attempted murder in one summer attack.

Brandon Gallion pleaded guilty to battery with use of a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm and was sentenced to five years' probation with one year of house arrest. Charges against Anthony Gallion were dropped.

Five years later, the Gallion brothers appear to have turned their lives around. They call their arrests "a divine intervention" and now are spearheading an effort to help troubled kids through a program they started -- Teens At Risk Get Educated Today.

"I am a living image of something negative turned positive,'' Brandon Gallion says. ''I know it's a common saying but it's true: You can do anything if you put your mind to it.''

The Gallion brothers, along with their mother, Tish, are trying to educate teens about choices and consequences, peer pressure, personal responsibility, individuality and leadership by sharing their own experiences and involvement with substance abuse and party crews.

"I was stamped as a failure and I don't wish that on anyone. We were given up on by our school, our friends and our community,'' Anthony Gallion says. ''It has been a battle for us, but we know that we have made a positive impact and will continue to do so through our program.''

The focus of T.A.R.G.E.T. is change, and the Gallions realize people won't change overnight. "But (people) have the foundation to change,'' Anthony Gallion says.

It doesn't matter a teen's background or socio-economic status, all kids are at risk. Most of the 311 Boyz were from an affluent background.

In the end, Brandon Gallion says, it is an individual choice to be a leader or a follower.

"At the age of 15, I was an alcoholic. At 16, I was considered an adult felon with no second chance,'' Brandon Gallion says. ''Through our T.A.R.G.E.T. program, my brother and I communicate to teens that they have the ability to overcome any obstacle."

The Gallion brothers have included their mother to help give parents of teens an idea of what to expect.

"My role in the program is talking to parents and giving them insight. I explain to parents about different scenarios. Your kids might tell you that they are spending the night at a friend's house when in reality they are at a party," their mother says. "I tell parents to not be naïve."

The brothers have spoken to more than 3,000 students and 2,000 administrators and teachers since the inception of the T.A.R.G.E.T. program in 2006. The program has reached out to elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, juvenile detention centers, and students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Phoenix.

"Words can't describe how proud we feel when people come up to us and tell us how our program helped them to change and turn their lives around. But at the same time, I feel like we haven't spoken to enough people," Anthony Gallion says.

The Gallions are working on attaining a nonprofit status. The twins are looking to expand the program with more funding and more speakers, including a female speaker who young girls can relate to and perhaps a speaker who once was involved in a gang.

"When we hear someone say, 'You changed my life,' that makes me feel emotions that are indescribable, like every good word that comes to mind, that we could make at least one person successful," Brandon Gallion says.