by Sergio, Santa Cruz My name is Sergio and I’m in here being charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor. I just recently got booked into Juvenile Hall. My trial hasn’t even started but I’ve made my first appearance in court. I’ve been a Christian almost all my life but for a while I started to separate myself from the church and even God. He’s been by my side my whole life, and I just took it for granted. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life but he’s always been with me. Even now that I pushed myself
Continue ReadingMonth: December 2023
I Will See a Better Future One Day
by Uz, San Francisco One day I will go home. One day I will. One day I will see a better future. One day I will get released. One day I won’t be in jail. I’ve been away for a year and my life has completely changed. I have some friends waiting for me and I have family waiting for me. So, I won’t be all alone. It will be a big transition for me. I’m scared. What if things do not work out? I don’t know. I really can’t see myself going to jail again. The only big thing
Continue ReadingMore Than Just a Teacher
by W, CCWF in Chowchilla, CA The stranger who changed my life was my high school/continuation teacher, Ms. Braver. I was new to the city and was in juvie, but because my parents were still commuting over fifty miles away to work daily, the judge refused to release me without twenty-four hour supervision. My parents talked to my school teacher and she not only agreed to supervise me thirty minutes before school, but until my dad came home each day. This lady was a total stranger to me, and I to her, yet she committed to supervising me so I
Continue ReadingHaters Weigh Me Down
by Angela Zuniga, CCWF in Chowchilla, CA What weighs me down is my haters. Not them personally but their words and beliefs of me. I become so mentally exhausted when I allow their thoughts to become my thoughts. Words are powerful, but going forward I refuse to allow the negativity to consume me. I am beautiful, strong, and smart. I believe in myself and have plenty of people that believe the best of me. Instead of focusing on the few haters, I’ma let them hate. I allow my words, my beliefs, and the thoughts of my friends and support system
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