Daniel graduated form Boyle Heights' Roosevelt High School, and has worked to support the same neighborhood ever since. After school, he was a decorated U.S. Marine, and then returned to East Los Angeles where he obtained his BA at Cal State Los Angeles.  In 1981, he joined the Hollenbeck Youth Center as Executive Director. The 2007 year marks the 26th year of Daniel’s work at the Hollenbeck Youth Center. Daniel still lives with his family in East Los Angeles.