Ernest Vargas came to Hawaiian Gardens in 1965 as a freshman in High School. He graduated from Artesia High School. He then attended Cerritos College.

In 1974 he was hired as a Recreation Leader/Sports Coordinator for the City of Hawaiian Gardens, until 1977.

In 1986 he returned to the City and proposed a program entitled “Alternatives to Gang Membership” (ATGM). He was then hired as the Neighborhood Counselor and directed the program for 34 years. The ATGM Program was designed to help keep youth from joining gangs in the Hawaiian Gardens community. The program consisted of a curriculum taught in the schools. It provided children with reasons why they should not join gangs. The ATGM Program also provided additional alternative activities. Ernie as he is so fondly called by most, retired in January of 2021.

The true success of Hawaiian Gardens to Ernie Vargas is to invest in the youth of the community. As a Councilman of the City that he loves, Ernie Vargas wishes to reinstate the ATGM program and to carry out the work of the Founding Fathers. His vision and passion embody the motto of the City of Hawaiian Gardens “Our Youth Our Future”.