At the age of 16, William Portillo was initiated into one of Los Angeles’ most notorious and violent gangs, Mara Salvatrucha. His gang name was Maniaco (Maniac). William remembers robbing people at gunpoint, just so he could see the fear in their eyes. Just two years into his membership he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for three counts of armed robbery.

He and his prison buddies organized a prison riot that earned William time in solitary confinement, where his life was transformed. While in solitary, a chaplain came by his cell and gave William a copy of the New Testament. The pages came alive for him as he read the stories of God’s love, the story of the Prodigal Son. William promised God that if through some miracle he could be freed from prison, he would devote his life to Christian service.

Shortly after making that promise, his 16-year sentence was reduced to seven months through a rehabilitation program. True to his word, William now takes to the streets, risking his life to bring the Gospel to those in most need of God’s Word. (The penalty for leaving Mara Salvatrucha is violent revenge, including death.) William is reminded often of the risk and responds simply, “You do what you have to do, I’ll do what I have to do.”

Today William heads a ministry in L.A. called Prevencion Y Rescate (Prevention and Rescue), a nonprofit ministry that aims at reaching and rehabilitating gang members and their families.

Bio courtesy in part Denver Catholic Register

Noelle Garcia McHugh was born in Texas, lived in Tennessee, but moved to Lansing, Michigan in 2006, a move that would transform her life. It was there that she met award-winning World Library Publications artist John Angotti, who was the music director at her home parish at the time. The two began writing songs together, then Noelle started some writing of her own. She has a degree in Human Development from Christian Brothers University and has worked in youth and music ministry since 1999.

Recently, Noelle has been pursuing more ministry among teens and adolescence with regards to teen issues such as depression, self-image, cutting, and peer pressure as she has found these are some of the biggest challenges to faith, family life, and personal development that they are facing day to day. Noelle hopes her own testimony and faith journey through workshops and music will encourage teens who struggle with these issues to turn to the Lord.

She is married to fellow youth and music minister David McHugh. They reside in Michigan where they both run full-time youth ministry programs. In summer 2010 Noelle gave birth to the couple’s first child, Damien.

> Noelle's website   > Noelle's WLP bio page
 

The Diocese of Gary welcomes Noelle Garcia McHugh to CYX thanks in part to the assistance of World Library Publications. WLP CD’s featuring the music of Noelle Garcia McHugh will be available for sale at CYX.

 

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