"Mr. X," a former high-level local gang leader who conceals his identity behind a white plastic hockey mask, is an unlikely public spokesman for gang prevention in Prince George's County.

He declines to reveal his name, age, where he lives or what high school he attended; that information, he says, could lead former gang associates with a grudge to him or his family.

But by wearing the mask, he says he can speak freely about life in a gang from a perspective most anti-gang advocates lack.

"When you've experienced something, they're more receptive," said Mr. X, who completed in 2007 a 25-year sentence in state prison for first-degree murder. "I tell them as much as I possibly can."

Mr. X has teamed up with a Forestville nonprofit organization, Take Charge Juvenile Diversion Program, to share his story with children and young adults who are at-risk or who have already been through the juvenile justice system.

His participation is voluntary. Although he is still on parole for crimes committed while in prison, the time he spends with Take Charge is not court-mandated, nor is he paid, according to Take Charge Vice President Jerrod Mustaf.

Take Charge works with between 550 and 600 young people annually through evening and weekend counseling sessions; they also speak at schools and community events. Participants are either funneled directly from the juvenile justice system or brought to the nonprofit, now in its 20th year, by concerned parents or other guardians.

Mr. X first approached Mustaf and his father, Take Charge President Shaar Mustaf, this summer to offer his help.

Jerrod Mustaf said they carefully vetted Mr. X with law enforcement officials and gang task force officers before considering his proposal and were satisfied with what they found.

"He just wants to give back and help," Mustaf said. "He is showing through his deeds that he has changed."

Mr. X said that by going public with his story, he was potentially putting his life, his family and even the nonprofit staff in danger. The mask and secrecy keep them safe, he said, although he is still more comfortable speaking at private Take Charge programs than at more public events.

Take Charge program organizer Ernie Gaskins said that including Mr. X has become necessary as gang activity worsens throughout the region.

"He brings a different flavor to the table than what we bring because he's been there," Gaskins said. "I think it's a very crucial piece."

Gaskins said a lack of funding in recent years for afterschool and community-based activities is sending more children — starting in elementary school — to neighborhood groups, often known as "crews," that later feed into regional or even national gangs.

Mr. X, who grew up in Washington, D.C., said he first joined a neighborhood crew at age 9 and was robbing banks and dealing drugs by high school. He rose through the ranks of local gangs as well as prison-based gangs.

Mr. X speaks at the evening and weekend counseling sessions regularly; he has a full-time job, which makes it difficult to attend programs during the day.

He said he combats glorified images of gangs in music and movies by speaking openly about the violence — he said he has been stabbed more than 40 times — and the loss of identity that comes with being in a gang and spending time in prison.

Carolyn Lassiter of Lanham said she and son David Lassiter, who recently completed one of Take Charge's counseling programs, were moved when they heard Mr. X speak at a session in October. She said the mask instantly signaled that "we're not in Kansas anymore."

"It puts you into the frame of mind [that] this is something we really need to pay attention to, this guy is the real deal," she said. "I think that it was more compelling to see that he's got to live the consequences on a daily basis and it's not glamorous."

Mustaf said he hopes Mr. X draws attention to gang prevention efforts in the county since demand is rising as funding for nonprofits like Take Charge is plummeting. Take Charge relies heavily on county financial support to maintain programs, but the recent fiscal crisis has meant major cuts; this year the organization halved its number of staff and have reduced the number of community events they attend.

"We're just trying to maintain our program level and our success," he said. "If we're not careful, we're going to be on the outside."

E-mail Zoe Tillman at ztillman@gazette.net.