Hello all, We are honored that our friends over at The Crime Report have posted and have featured a wonderful and an important read from our publication. What a wonderful way to end the year with this must read… On behalf of The Beat Within we thank you for your support and friendship. Read and share… Happy New Years! See you in 2015!
Continue ReadingMonth: December 2014
Volume 19.49/50 – 2014 year end issue!
From that one little night, Lives were changed. Decisions were made, And there was no going back. Thought people could be loyal, Held them at standards far too royal. Then the whole things started to foil. Got into a position you’d never be. Thought, “No way can’t happen to me!” But you couldn’t have been more wrong, This isn’t a movie or song. Things aren’t so simple. So now you’re stuck with what you have. Your situation is real bad, But it could be worse. What made you make the decisions you did? -Conner, San Francisco Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you
Continue ReadingThe San Quentin News
Hello all, We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Kid CAT – the juvenile lifers housed at SQSP. We had our initial workshop back in October and just recently our workshop was featured in the San Quentin News. Take a look at the link or the attachments. We are thrilled to include these important voices in The Beat Within. We will resume workshops in early 2015. Download
Continue ReadingThe Beat inside The Crime Report
Here’s a fantastic piece that came out of our weekly writing and conversation workshops. To our surprise the piece was picked up by The Crime Report, based in NYC. Source: The Crime Report
Continue ReadingThe Signs
By Miguel Quezada Seventeen years ago, at the age of sixteen, I sat in a juvenile hall holding cell waiting to be booked in on first-degree murder charges, three attempted murders, a gun charge and gang enhancement. In writing this, I had to think about how I ended up in that holding cell. What advice could I give that would help you avoid some of the mistakes I made? How could I put into words the destruction I caused in so little time to myself and so many other people in a way that could be lesson? I asked myself, what
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Volume 19.47/48
I woke up this mornin’ To their wake up calls Of this depressin’ Juvenile Hall. I get up and get dressed And wash my face What I wouldn’t give -Pencyke, Alameda Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
Continue ReadingThe Beat Within Fundraiser
Update: We Did It! Our Booster campaign has closed.Thank you all! You’re in luck! In honor of the holiday season, The Beat Within has launched its SECOND t-shirt fundraiser! Our first fundraiser was an incredible success thanks to the loyalty of our supporters. Due to a high demand for t-shirts after the fundraiser’s closing date, The Beat has decided to re-launch! Donations will go directly towards the printing and distributing of our publication (which comes out twice a month). By donating, you will help insure that each young person who participates in our weekly writing workshop receives our 60 page
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Volume 19.45/46
I feel like I need to keep my emotions to myself and deal with my struggles on my own because everyone around me has their own problems to deal with. That can make you feel very alone and at the end it seems like that’s how it will always be. – Anakarina Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
Continue Reading19.45/46 Editor’s Note
Greetings Beat lovers. It’s an incredible honor to Though I now understand how to deal with what sometimes have this sixty-page publication in your hands and these words being read by you today/tonight. It is hard to believe this is issue 19.45/46! Wow, what a fabulous issue to share with you all too. There are so many solid contributions to read and be inspired by, as well as pieces that simply strike a nerve of sadness and pain. We cannot thank you contributors enough for the love you share with us each week in our workshops and those of you who write
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