–Efrain, Sonoma
The Beat Within — where you can express your thoughts, emotions, and qualities to the world.
I remember my first Beat a couple years back. I thought that writing wasn’t all that, and that it wasn’t my thing until Michael convinced me to write something. At first, it was small because I thought, “Writing is not what gang members do,” but over time the topics and talks started to hit home.
I found myself writing more and more. It was a way I was able to express how I felt. I started writing on my free time. It eventually became my way of coping while being locked up. I am so grateful to have been part of The Beat Within. It made me realize the importance of writing, and how you never know if you like something unless you try it.
I feel like my favorite thing about The Beat Within is when I see my poems and writings every two weeks when Michael comes and we do The Beat Within program with him.
Thank you Michael. Thank you to everyone who made The Beat possible. “From the beat within me, to the beat within you,” thank you.