Wendy Welt speaks at last Thursday's Gangs Out of Downey luncheon. Photo by Claudia Gomez

DOWNEY -- The 2018 Gangs Out of Downey (GOOD) luncheon was held last Thursday featuring congenital quad-amputee Wendy Welt as its keynote speaker.

The event, held at the Rio Hondo Event Center, was attended by GOOD members, several notable Downey residents and elected officials, as well as students and representatives from Downey and Warren high schools.

The luncheon opened with several brief statements from former GOOD presidents – Downey Unified Board of Education member Martha Sodetani and Mayor Pro Tem Rick Rodriguez – as well as current president Downey Police Department Lt. Mark McDaniel.

Rodriguez, in particular, took a hard stance against any potential gang members in Downey.

“In my city, you’re not welcome here. In my city we don’t want you here,” said Rodriguez. “If you know a gang member, if you see a gang member, if you know a family member of a gang member, tell the family to get involved…But understand this: when you come to Downey, we don’t have gang members; we have respect and integrity.”

Downey Police Lt. Mark McDaniel, president of Gangs Out of Downey. Photo by Claudia Gomez

McDaniel said that the community could support the mission of GOOD by coming together as examples and difference makers.

“Downey is a unique city, where our police department, our school district, elected officials, city staff, our business community, civic roots and residents come together as one to affect change in people’s lives,” said McDaniel. “To affect change, we have to be out in the community setting the example and showing these young folks that we care and we respect them.

Gangs Out of Downey has adopted the six pillars of Character Counts…GOOD helps spread these pillars. Character does count and character matters. We have to set the example.”

The keynote speaker was Wendy Welt, a former Downey resident and Warren High School alumnus who was born without arms and legs.

Welt spoke of positivity, self-image and acceptance, and overcoming challenges.

“There is no such thing as ‘can’t,’” said Welt. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

During her presentation, Welt demonstrated what it is like to live a life without arms and legs, covering her early life, challenges and experiences, and how she performs day to day tasks.

Welt said that her parents “didn’t raise me to be handicapped.”

“My parents told my brothers ‘we’re not going to do everything for Wendy. Wendy is going to learn to do everything for herself,’” said Welt. “I can do everything just like everybody else, just a little bit differently.”

Welt concluded her presentation with comments on acceptance and moving forward.

“Remember, we’re only in control of ourselves... Doing your work and working on your self-talk and your attitude helps with all that,” said Welt. “I am so blessed and thankful to God, and to my parents, family, and friends and all my different challenges…”

The luncheon concluded with comments from former Mayor Mario Guerra before McDaniel briefed attendees on upcoming events.

“Gangs Out of Downey is a special place. We know that the city of Downey is a special place, and because we do it as a community,” said Guerra. “That’s what’s important to us; our school district, our city, our police, our city working together.”

Gangs Out of Downey luncheon brings message of unity and positivity