Hey dear listener, today on Latino USA we're featuring an episode from the latest season

of Motive. It's a podcast from our friends at WBZ in Chicago. In this episode we're

going to go to Chicago's little village neighborhood. It's also called La Pellita. It's a very

Mexican part of Chicago on the southwest side. But it's also home to long-standing gang rivalries.

We're going to meet Cecilia Manian, who's a former gang member, who's dedicated her life to help

victims of gang violence. For example, after a shooting she's the one who helps families sort out

healthcare options or funeral arrangements, counseling services, and other times she actually talks

people out of retaliating. Here's host Patrick Smith in After the Gunfire from season 5 of Motive.

This is how it starts. The crackle of the police scanner, a shooting close to midnight.

Cecilia Manian is sitting in her idling SUV on Chicago's west side, listening to the police scanner.

There aren't a lot of details available right away, but a man was shot in the little village

neighborhood. That means he's Manian's responsibility, and she knows where he's headed.

I'm on my way to see a mountaineer hospital. I'm going to make a phone call.

Before she drives to the hospital, Manian calls her supervisor.

Hey, we got a bona fide shooting answer, Megan Sawyer.

Oh, okay, I've been argues with her about who's going to take the case.

Manian is supposed to be off today. She was at the same hospital working until about 4am last night.

Her supervisor tells her to leave it for tomorrow.

But Manian isn't hearing it. Bye. Okay, so what's the plan? Face them. I'm going to go there

and see if we get anything.

Manian works for a nonprofit called in Lasse. Her title is Victim Advocate.

Basically, if you're shot in little village, she shows up to try and help, to minimize the harm.

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