The life I have with my wife and children is more important to me than anything. All the years of my former life underscored one fact about the mob - it destroys families. When I met Camille, my life changed, my priorities changed, and she became the center of my attention. Then, I went to prison for almost 10 years and she waited, raising what was quickly become our growing family, and she stood by me, providing encouragement and emotional support that truly saved my life. For so long my only time with Cammy and the kids was

through visits not nearly frequent enough. So my time with them is precious, and every waking moment I am thinking of Cammy and all my kids - seven of them. For me to get on a plane and travel to speak about gambling is something I believe is vitally important.

Today - more than 8 MILLION TEENS are in treatment because they are addicted to gambling. One college student robbed a bank, another killed 3 people and hung himself - all over gambling debts.

When I spoke about gambling to the National Federation of High School Assemblies representing all 50 states and 18,000 schools, they said they want me to help educate their youth about the dangers and risks to their lives and futures. I have spoken in several high schools already from Naples FL to Fresno CA and Minot ND. I simply can't visit 18,000 schools. However, my partner and I have developed a plan that will meet the need and help the youth. This section of my website is devoted to that plan, and is the heart of the Breaking Out Foundation.

A little background will help.

A LITTLE HISTORY - WHY ME?
When I was in the life of organized crime, I was quite involved in running gambling operations that made millions. If you are involved in that life, you are involved in the BUSINESS OF GAMBLING. Make no mistake - for everyone in that life, it is a business, to make money. From the many bookies who reported to me to those who collected "outstanding debts," gambling was one of my business interests. People who enter that world do so at their own risk, whether teen, student athlete, or pro athlete.

Speaking to audiences about gambling was never on my radar screen, it was never a thought that entered my mind, even through the years I spent behind bars for the crimes I committed. As I was finishing my last stretch, I was walking the prison yard and was paged to come to the warden's office - never good news. There I was met by Federal Agents who came on behalf of the NCAA, NHL, NBA, MLB, and NFL, who had collaborated to create a video interviewing several people, from Pete Rose to Art Schlichter and other notables, wanted me to speak from the mindset of one who corrupted athletes through gambling. As much as I hate to admit it now, it was a big part of my business. The video was received quite well, and the NCAA, MLB, and NBA asked that I speak to their athletes directly.

Trust me, public speaking was not something I did. My experience opening my mouth in front of people had been in sit downs with other Captains and associates or on trial - where I said very little, knowing how to take the fifth. So - that is where it all began.

I have been fortunate to have a life story that is captivating to audiences from youth groups to athletes, and across demographic lines. Moreover, the change in my life, the transformation, is the bedrock of my life, and the reason I tell my story and try to educate about gambling dangers.

Today, I travel the country speaking to groups small and large, from student athletes on as many as 200 college campuses to date, to the locker rooms of professional athletes and presentations at their rookie orientations. Because gambling dangers impact people from all walks of life, this message of mine finds a home in other arenas as well, from music festivals to church services and Sunday School classes. Gambling addiction does not discriminate. It strikes not only athletes, but has serious consequences in the lives of business men, politicians, grandparents and parents, city leaders and officials, and any other demographic you might describe.

A GENERATION AT RISK
Gambling addiction causes everything from friends stealing from room mates to executives and grandmothers stealing from their workplace. It led a sophomore at Lehigh University to rob a Bank, and a student in Wisconsin to shoot and kill 3 people because he lost nearly $70,000 on gambling. Gambling addiction turns losers into criminals, turns the depressed to drugs and alcohol, and has been directly connected with suicides. It destroys people and families, businesses and students.

Every day, we are confronted with images of the "winners" on sports channels. We do not hear when they go bankrupt. Gambling has invaded our homes, schools, and churches. Some schools have casino nights to raise money. Parents let their youth have poker night at home, and colleges let students have poker nights in frat houses. The Internet poses even greater risks.

Thanks to the Internet, we can search for valuable information from buying a car to researching medical issues. But that same tool brings death, destruction, and personal ruin through pornography, a vehicle for pedophiles, and an anonymous access to gamble, even for those under age.

I'll say it again - this is a telling sign - today there are more than 1 MILLION TEENS ADDICTED TO GAMBLING.

OUR MISSION Hopefully I have your attention. The pages of the Breaking Out Foundation Overview will describe the problem in much greater detail. The facts will - or at should - startle you.

Our foundation has one goal - to turn the tide - to educate youth about the dangers of gambling. Through education, teen pregnancies are down, smoking is curbed, and drunk driving has been impacted through the great work of MADD and others.

Please read through this information. Share it with your family members.

Share it with friends and co-workers.

Send it to your local politicians, state representatives, and congressmen and senators.

The Marlboro Man, Joe Camel, the Cigarette Girl are gone from TV. The Surgeon General has warnings on tobacco and alcohol products.

Let's work together to save a generation at risk of gambling addiction. If you want to know more about how you can help, email my partner, Rob Michaels.

Thanks,

Michael Franzese