Mark Wahlberg Returns to His Hometown
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Current statistics reveal one-third of all high school students drop out before graduation. Wahlberg, who dropped out when he was only 14, is now using his success to give back by working with the Boys & Girls Club of America and serving as spokesman for Taco Bell’s “Graduates to Go” program. Anderson visits Mark’s hometown of Dorchester, Mass. and has dinner with his mother, Alma, and his brothers, Jimmy and Paul, at their new family restaurant, “Wahlburgers.”
Anderson also speaks with Ross Cappicchioni, who at age 17 was gunned down in broad daylight by a 15-year-old peer as part of a gang initiation. Ross shares his remarkable story of resilience and tells Anderson how he survived such a horrific ordeal. Plus, tips on what you can do in your own community to make a positive change.
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Comments
Is 18 too old for the Taco bell program?
Good Morning,
I have something that is struggling with getting a whole closed after surgery and I understand that the gentleman on yesterday's show had a whole the size of a baseball sewed up and is doing well. It is possible to send me the name of the surgery or equipment that was used to get this whole closed? Thanks. Van
I'm home from work ill today and I caught your show regarding the young man who was shot by a gang member. It has really brought back some memories as my daughter was also shot by a gang and survived. She was shot when a group of her friends were driving home, a car with none asian gang drove up to their cars and shot at them with a 45. a 9 mm and then shot at the car she was in with the shotgun which got her in her face, throat, arm and shoulder. She lost the vision in her eye and has undergone 9 surgeries to repair it. She also survived and has become an amazing young lady, I am so proud of her. I applaud this young man to testifying, if they had found my daughters shooters, she too would have testified. People have to take a stand against this violence. Thank you.
Jennie Sandoval
I am watching the show right now, and really think this is a great topic,Mark is one of my favorite actors, he is such an inspiration to people me, ive been thru a hard life myself growing up Brooklyn, my moms went back to college to earn her BA at 65, so I really believe with the right influences any one should be able to turn their live around, great show by the way Marlon
It is so good to see people doing positive things for kids. Mark has the high profile lifestyle to bring attention to programs for kids. A personal 'hero' of mine is a woman who has been volunteering her time and talent for many years to work with at-risk youth and kids who are locked up to teach them a meditation program she created just for kids that helps them focus on what they have within them instead of turning to drugs and alcohol. It's a really cool program about personal responsibility and the kids she teaches really love her and her program. Check it out: www.blessingsfound.net, her name is Mrs. Neal.
I applaude your first guest and the courage it took for him to face his attacker in court! And to the officer who called for help, "Thank you." Great show, Anderson! Love what you are bringing to television.
I am a case manager for a well known national mentoring agency. I see every day how my volutneers impact kids by simply hanging out with them. Everyone can do a little something, whether it's giving your time, donating money or even things like a pair of sporting event tickets. By doing a little something, you're part of the solution.
This YouTube video is AMAZING in helping kids make better choices"!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EQcd41RopQ
I LOVE this show. I've always had a crush on Anderson - so much so that I named 1 of my Dobies, Cooper in Anderson's honor.
Anyway, I look forward 2 seeing his Mom on the show Monday. I've admired her for years. The show is always that much brighter when she appears - not that I don't enjoy seeing Anderson as well but she really does steal the show!
Gloria inspired me 2 try my hand @ becoming a fashion designer in the early 70's. Unfortunately I had no talent for sewing which was a requisite @ the time. I did however become a fashion buyer & store manager in my home town of Boston for several years before moving to L.A....
I moved 2 L.A. in 1979 & completely changed my career after a couple of years "finding" myself. I became actors, writers & directors best friend - I pay Residuals!
Loved the show and I think it's great what Mark is doing now! I'm curious why he looked so angry/troubled during the interview? I know there's a lot that could be going on that we don't know about but I've never seen him like that and just concerned! Hope everything's ok Mark, keep up the good work!!
Mark Wahlberg seems like a nice guy. However, no mention has been made on your show about the innocent man he permanently blinded in one eye or of the others he has attacked and hurt.. Mark has stated before that he has "paid for his mistakes". He only served 45 days in jail. He did some incredibly violent and racist things to completely innocent people. The guy without vision in his eye is reminded of this every day for the rest of his life. If Mr. Wahlberg truly wanted to make amends and and demonstrate that he is a real man, he would try to track down everyone he attacked and personally apologize. Mr. Wahlberg has a net worth in the tens, if not hundreds, of millions. Money doesn't solve everything, but it would certainly help those he attacked. Especially the guy he did permanent damage to.
I was viciously attacked at random over 20 years ago. I am still affected in more ways than I care to go into. Mark should do the right thing. It's great that he helps charity, but in my opinion, this is not enough. Contact your victims, Mark. Look them in the eye, apologize, and make amends. I guarantee you that at least some of them still carry the emotional scars. Other victims of violent crime know what I'm talking about. We know at least one man still carries the physical scars. Imagine how they feel, when they see you on TV, happily and comfortably enjoying your life.
First – Anderson Cooper, you’re fantastic - keep up the great work! Just for chits and giggles - the next time you chat with a Wahlberg ask how’s “Daw-chess-ta”?
Second - I love the Wahlbergs, they are great representatives for my hometown of Dorchester. Many working families from Dorchester had too many kids for parents to hover over - so neighbors, teachers, counselors and beat cops all became part of the village tha*****ched over the kids.
I never met the Wahlbergs but had friends that were close with Donnie and Mark. Like many Dorchester kids they could’ve ended up as cops or cons, but thankfully their other talents prevailed. Talent wasn’t in my blood, but as kid growing up in a Dorchester street gang I was lucky to have fast feet that allowed me to outrun the petty criminal record I deserved. After graduating high school the draft lottery provided incentive to follow my family tradition and I enlisted in the U.S. Navy – which allowed me to smarten up while growing up.
Serving honorably in the U.S. military rewarded me with V.A. Benefits, giving me the opportunity to get an education and opened the door to a police career. During my career I was blessed with the chance to pay my penance, which I did many times over by saving lives and helping many thousands of people who have long since forgotten me. Regardless, I cherish those memories and I’m grateful to have survived an exciting career during which I paid my debt successfully. Watching the Wahlbergs act in police series’ and movies helps bring back many wonderful memories and I’d like to thank them for that.
Kudos to the Wahlbergs for their work in the community and for representing Dorchester – it’s just one more reason to be proud of the town I grew up.
PS: To those hating Mark or other Wahlbergs for making dumb teenage mistakes in their distant past – please treat them as you’d like to be treated and find it in your heart to forgive them because they’ve paid their penance many times over by doing many wonderful things for the community. For those hating police officers - shame on you, they risk their lives to make your lives better and often have nothing left to show for it at the end of their career except painful & disabling injuries, small pensions, lost marriages and fading memories.
Of course like sooooo many others Mark Wahlberg is one of our families favorites. He is such an incrediable artist at his craft and unfortunately and fortunately when someone has endured trials abd tribulations, well that's what makes them who they are.Which is great! I just think it's awesome that even though we all know that he isn't perfect we accept him and we applaud him for the changes he made in his life to better first himself and then love himself enough to bring all this amazing wealth to everyone else through these organizations that he helps to provide something that was provided for him at one time. Whether he appreciated it at the time or not there was an option and freedom of choice. When Mark's family was having dinner together with Anderson the one comment I think his brother Donnie made and really stuck with me was that in their time, in their neighbourhood people couldn't Dream! But he said that because of his mother he could Dream of better things for himself! I don't think everyone can really understand how sad that would be to not even have a glimmer of hope or to be able to Dream.That made me so sad. That is tough stuff. I grew up in an awesome neighbourhood with two non English speaking parents where everyone spoke English. The families were great and still if you were one to look for trouble you would find it and it would find you. Looking back now there were some that were able to move away from bad influences and others were almust stuck like someone was physically holding them down when they really weren't.My point is that sometimes it doesn't matter where you grow up there is bad & good everywhere just some hide it better. I think for us there were great teachers wonderful neighbours a huge supportive group of people and I appreicated it as much as I could as a young person. But when I hear these stories I apprecate even more. That movie Pay it Forward with Kevin Spacey is something that should be watched often and remind us what we can all do in helping one another to feel free and live the life we Dream about. And most importantly for Everyone one to know that they can Dream and make their Dreams come true. It's not easy but it's the tough stuff in life that make all the Dreams come true.
Thanks for this opportunity to comment. Anderson the runners are great a little bright but nothing a few hikes can't fix!
Ornella~ Maybe you can come for a hike in Canada~
For Linda... thank you for your response. It's good to know there are options through the Boys and Girls Clubs...
I commend Mark Wahlberg for turning his life around and trying to give back to the community, but I wonder why Anderson decided not to mention how violent and racist Wahlberg's numerous crimes were. He was even charged with attempted murder. I would like to know what reparations he has made,if any,to his many victims. He can never restore the sight he stole from one of the men he viciously beat.
Shows like this often concern me because they tend to be warm and cuddly towards the offenders, even making excuses for their actions. I can't help but wonder if it sends the wrong message to these criminal kids. I can understand that troubled kids need help, but many kids have come from horrible backgrounds who never commit any crimes. The revolving door judicial system is at fault here. It seems like the easier the law and the msm are on these kid criminals the worse the problem gets.