STR8UP is a community organization that aims to help people find a new path forward following the decision to leave the gang lifestyle behind.

STR8UP Executive Director Dave Shanks says that while the organization does work to help gang members turn their lives around, the person in the program has to put in the effort to make ensure their success.

“We ask members to drop their colours, we ask them to deal with their addictions, we want people to learn to be honest and be humble. And then we ask people who want to join STR8UP to dedicate four years of their life to STR8UP.”

Shanks says that during the four-year commitment, members will reflect on their past and chart a new way forward.

Rodney Nataucappo, who is the Vice Chair for the Board of Directors for STR8UP, says that the organization has come a long way in liberating people over the years. He adds that he sees members and former members making more and more life progress each year.

“In the beginning it was navigating ‘how do we stop this life, what do we do now?’ and now it’s like ‘Okay, I’m done university now, I’ve got a few years of sobriety, now what?’ Liberation has taken on a whole new meaning at a whole new level.”

Shanks says that 2026 will be the organization’s first full year of owning their building, meaning that renovations will be done to allow them to expand their programming.

“We’re definitely looking at improving some of our programming space so we can deliver some more. Cooking programming is a big one, life skills programming, and we’ll just have more space for community partners as well to deliver programming for our members here. Renovations is going to be a big one for this upcoming year here.”

Along with being the first full year in the new building, 2026 will also be the first full year that Shanks is Executive Director for STR8UP.