It was in the year of 1992, when there was a “Civil Unrest” that took place in the City of Los Angeles, CA. and it spilled over into a the neighboring city where the Alexander’s resided; the City of Compton. CA. When that event took place; Greg was reminded of a similar episode that took place years ago with him in their home town of Detroit, Michigan. Right then, Greg felt a tug on his heart and soul to do something, but what? He had no ideal what to do in this kind of situation. It seems to be one of the darkest days in their lives! The community had gone crazy and the National Guards had been called in and had seized the entire city of Compton! The city was closed off from the rest of the world; road-block at ever city exit and no one could get in nor leave out without the search and permission of the authorities at the entrance or exit point! It was unbelievable! After praying to God with eyes wide open and filled with tears, it was about 4 A.M. in that morning when Greg heard from God saying to him; Get up! Go to the garage and get his clean up tools! Wake your children and go out into the community and start to clean up what the angry people in the community had begun destroying in the city! So, Greg did just that and his children thought that their dad had truly lost his mind. It was about 6:30 A.M. in the morning when he began his mission and it was about 2:30 in the afternoon when a medical team from the Drew Medical University stop at one of the sites Reverend Alexander and his children were cleaning up and Said; We have been watching you for awhile going around to different areas cleaning up the rubble, glass and trashed building that was made during the looting and stuff; we thought you guys could use some food and medical attention? So, we decided to stop and offer you it! Even then, Reverend Alexander had no ideal that God had begun a work in him and his family in that very moment. The crew stopped to receive the aid from the medical team. That’s when Greg stops for a moment and saw what had accrued around him; he saw that there was other people that had join his crusade; men, women and other youth. They had come out of their own home of safety and join the unbelievable mission. Even then, Reverend Alexander had no ideal that God had begun a work in him and his family in that very moment. The crew stopped to receive the aid from the medical team. That’s when Greg stops for a moment and saw what had accrued around him; he saw that there was other people that had join his crusade; men, women and other youth. They had come out of their own home of safety and join the unbelievable mission.
Again, Greg heard that voice speak and say; “Teach my children the right way to build their lives, not to destroy it like these others had tried to do! These children can rise up from these ashes…And the Dream Is Worth The Climb!” That’s when Greg realized that this generation of youth would be lost and end up like the very ones who had took their anger out on the merchants & their business establishments. Those who were frustrated and dismayed due to lack of education, skills and most of all; the spirit (love) of God; tools to make a better life for themselves.It was at that particular time, When Greg received the vision that became clear. He would organize and began a “Youth Awareness Program”; to provide the youth in the community the opportunities to receive quality information, training, skills and tools that would equip them with what they need to meet the challenges that hinder them from being the best that they can be in life. So, right then and there he organized a youth organization that he named; the Young American National Awareness Campaign acronym; YANAC.
