Stan Faddis, Probation Officer, Part 2
By far, the most fun I had in Juvenile Hall was when I worked with Dario Lerma. He was a veteran of the Hall and the good times we had made the eight hour shifts feel shorter. The kids loved him even though he made them toe the line. His humor was the best and we spent a lot of the time joking. The primary thing I learned from him was how to interact with the minors. W e had fun with them, but never at their expense. I also learned a lot about Mexican culture from Dario; about their work ethic and familial customs. One day he brought in to work some burritos his wife, Ramona had made for us. It was my first taste of chorizo con papa and huevos burritos (sausage, potato and egg). Sometimes he would button up his flannel shirt to the top button and act out being a “lowrider” calling everyone “esse” and “homes.” Dario was about ten years older than I and had worked there for ten years by the time I arrived. He is Mexican, born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Corcoran, California w