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Les was born in Galvaston, Texas and grew up in San Francisco. He came to Hanna Boys Center in October of 1980 and graduated in June of 1984. Les completed high school at Serra High School in San Mateo, went on to university at San Francisco State where he graduated as an English Major. After graduation from San Francisco State University, Les moved to Texas in 1993, married his wife, Laura, and began his career in the Banking Industry, initially at Citibank. He then got an opportunity to work for World Savings, headquartered in Oakland, California, where he has enjoyed a successful career as a loan officer, business analyst, and currently as an IT operations manager. Les enjoys his job and the people he works with saying, “I am privileged to work with some very wonderful people.”

Les Melghem’s family is comprised of his wife, Laura and three sons, Abel, Andrew, and Samuel. Les says, “both Hanna Boys Center and Laura are the keys to his adult success. Laura is a strong woman. Her convictions, morality, and patience are the foundation of our family unit. She makes me want to be the best man I can be for myself, for her and for our boys.” “I’m sure my life would not have turned out like it has without Hanna Boys Center. My success at Hanna has been central to every success I have had in my adult life. I am so grateful to the staff at Hanna Center for the hard work and dedication to the youngsters there. The work done there has a profound effect on not just the individual boy’s life, but on the whole range of people that youngster has in his life! What the Hanna program does affects a youngster’s life personally, and it then touches his family’s life in ways that cannot truly be measured. The degree of influence may seem minor and unobtrusive, but it is really present and profound!”

Some boys form life-long relationships with Hanna Boys Center. Martin Puebla is one of those. As a student, Martin embraced Hanna Center as his second family. Now that Martin has his own family, he considers Hanna part of his extended family. Martin’s relationship with Hanna began when he was 12 years old. Martin’s father died when Martin was 11 years old leaving Mrs. Puebla with a teenage daughter and a despondent son to raise by herself. Martin was confused and angered by his father’s death. He could not concentrate and had difficulty getting to sleep. Consequently, his school performance suffered. His teachers reported that Martin was nervous and hyperactive. He would not complete his homework assignments and he became increasingly listless and uncooperative. His mother sought help at Hanna Boys Center.

When Martin arrived at Hanna, he was a closed and angry boy. He was unable to express feelings verbally, but frequently expressed anger through his actions. He lacked trust in others, especially adults, and he feared being rejected.

During his time at Hanna for almost five years, from September of 1980 through June of 1985, Martin was able to bring his school work up to grade level, and he completed the eleventh grade by the time of his program completion. During his enrollment, Martin learned how to reach out to others and to express a range of emotions in a healthy manner. He became warm and friendly and was willing to help staff and other boys when called upon. He was considered an asset to his cottage group.

After leaving Hanna, Martin continued his education at Agua Caliente Continuation School where he earned his high school diploma while working two part time jobs, one of which was in Hanna’s Maintenance Department.

Martin enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1988 and completed his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Martin served on two guided missle cruisers and traveled extensively throughout the world. During this time he kept in contact with Hanna Center with postcards, letters and Christmas cards. Eventually, Martin was stationed at Alameda, California aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson. Martin arranged for 50 Hanna boys, along with Father Crews and other staff members, to sail on the carrier during Family Day Cruise in May of 1995. On another occasion, he brought 25 of his shipmates to Hanna Center to visit with the boys on campus.

While serving in Alameda, Martin met his future wife, Christine. They were married in the Hanna Center chapel with Father John Crews officiating in October of 1995. Shortly thereafter Martin was transferred to Hawaii where Christine gave birth to their first child, Katherine. The baby was welcomed in the Hanna family during her baptism by Father Crews in the Hanna chapel.

After the family had relocated to Bremerton, Washington, Christine and Martin’s son, Andrew, was born. Soon thereafter, Martin decided to reenlist for a third tour of duty with the Navy. He selected Father Crews, who is a Navy chaplain with the rank of captain, to perform the reenlistment ceremony. Captain Crews administered the oath of enlistment to the Machinist Mate while Martin’s family and several of his shipmates observed the proceedings at the Puebla residence.

Father Crews completed another ceremony for the family when he baptized Andrew in the Hanna chapel. As usual, the Pueblas wanted to share their joy with their entire family.

After only a few months on active duty with the Antioch Police Department, former Hanna student, Officer Mario Avitabile, revived an 8-month old boy who nearly drowned in a bathtub. The baby had slipped under the water after his father stepped out of the shower to get dressed. The baby was not breathing and had no pulse when Officer Avitabile and his partner, Officer Kevin Kollo, arrived at the house in residential Antioch, California. Officer Avitabile started CPR on the child, and after a time Officer Kollo took over. The two got the boy breathing and paramedics took him to the local hospital. The boy is expected to recover fully.

Mario was a student at Hanna Center from August of 1990 through June of 1992. He graduated from Sonoma State University in June of 2002 with a degree in sociology. He attended the police academy at Los Medanos Community College and is now a police officer with the City of Antioch. Mario has gladdened the hearts of all at Hanna Boys Center.

Mario was the oldest of six children in a strong family unit lead by two dedicated parents. He lived in a nice home in a good neighborhood. His parents maintained a strong faith and religious beliefs. For many reasons he should have been flourishing at school and at home. But he was in trouble.

According to his teachers in school, Mario experienced difficulties in sustaining concentration and paying attention, and he failed to complete his assignments. Mario was not working to his level of ability. His eighth grade teacher described him as argumentative, stubborn and unwilling to take responsibility for his behavior. Mario showed special interest and talent in orchestra and athletic activities, but many teachers viewed him as a problem. Mario failed the eighth grade, and he was expelled from summer school. Well liked by neighbors, friends and grandparents, Mario had problematic relations with authority figures, especially his father and mother.

At home Mario had long-standing problems that included lying, stealing, and oppositional behavior toward his parents. He felt that his parents were too critical of him and did not listen to him. Mario’s parents tried family counseling, but realized little success in their relationship with their son. Mario was able to sabotage any intervention that the psychiatrist recommended. Mario resented his five brothers and felt that his parents spent too much time with them.

The family psychiatrist recommended out of home placement, consequently the Avitabiles enrolled Mario at Hanna Boys Center in August of 1990.

The fourteen year old youngster was slow to respond to the disciplined life at Hanna. He did not give up his defiance and oppositional ways very easily. He did not give his full effort in the classroom.

However, Mario gradually became more compliant as the structure and routine of the Hanna program provided firm boundaries for him. Mario performed well in the physical education and sports area of the program where he particularly enjoyed basketball. On the basketball court Mario learned to be less demanding and critical of himself.

The key to Mario’s success at Hanna was the relationship he formed with his caseworker, Richard Bourgeois. Mario learned to trust his caseworker, and through his guidance Mario learned to trust himself, take responsibility for his actions and make solid decisions.

After two years at Hanna, Mario completed the 10th grade and was reunited with his family. He returned to his local high school and participated in the police cadet program in his hometown where he dreamed of becoming a police officer.

After high school graduation, Mario began taking course at Los Medanos Community College while working full time as a security guard at a department store. Soon he had earned enough credits to transfer to a four-year college.

Mario began working as a child care worker at Hanna Center and enrolled at Sonoma State University as a part-time student paying his own way through college. Eventually, Mario sought financial assistance from Hanna to help pay for his education. With the help of a Hanna scholarship and with his dedication and determination to complete his studies, Mario earned his degree in sociology in December of 2001.

After graduation Mario was accepted into the police academy where he was challenged to become the police officer that he had dreamed about in high school. May of 2002 was a big month for Mario when he was able to receive his college diploma at graduation exercises at Sonoma State University, and, one week later, pin on the shield of a police officer at the police academy graduation.

Officer Mario Avitabile now enjoys patrolling the streets of his hometown of Antioch, California. When not on duty, the young police officer relishes visits with his family that has since added a sister and another brother. The Avitabiles remain a strong family unit, and there is room for everyone in the family – including the oldest son – a college graduate, police officer and gentleman.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without Hanna Boys Center. Mario Avitabile, alumnus