Category: Piece of the Week

by Adriana, San Mateo I used to think dope was the only thing worth living for, but now I see myself getting out, going to program, and living my best life clean and sober. Becoming and staying sober has been a complete lifestyle change that I will have to continue in order to save my life. Yeah, it may have not been my choice to get clean. On the streets I would have never found the strength to do so, let alone maintain sobriety. Going down and staying down helped me reevaluate my life and rethink some of the lifestyle

by Curry, San Francisco I used to be naïve and stubborn when I didn’t listen and respect my elders advice. At the time I just thought they didn’t understand me or what I was going through. Now, with experience and time, I realized that my elders always have good wisdom informed by their years of experience and learning.  I’ve also learned to never judge a book by its cover for example, although a person may not seem to have all of their stuff together they might have a way of living and being that is good for them. I know

by On The Journey To My True Self, San Diego First are my trust issues. Growing up, my dad promised me something and would never follow through with anything he promised me. Then, when I got a little older, I started dating, and boys really taught me you can’t trust anyone no matter what they say or do. My mother also gave me trust issues, always lying to me all the time.  Then, the trust issues really started to grow on me from forming a lot of new bonds and relationships. Soon, I started realizing that I was losing interest

by Queen Jai, Sonoma As I say goodbye to my past, I say hello to my future. I let the trauma go while I let the love follow me to a place called home. I don’t know where it will be, but I know by then I will be free. While I am free, my education is following right behind me.  My past life was rough, but all I know is I can’t get enough love. I get more and more by the time it hits midnight. I love sleep, but just so you know, don’t make a peep or

by JN, Sacramento There are many things that matter to me. There are many things that make me, me. One person that matters to me is my mother. She is the person that matters to me the most in this world. Although I look dead on my mom, I have many of her traits. From outgoing to hardworking and humble.  Another thing that matters the most to me is my future. I work a lot on my future every day the most I can while I’m incarcerated.  My future matters a lot to me because it will define who I

by D, Sacramento This topic made me think a little about the people in my life, who I may not openly appreciate. I am thankful for a lot of things and a lot of people, but only me and God know when it comes to it. The person who I am most thankful for is my granny. She stepped into my life as a motherly figure since I didn’t have one.  Of course, it wasn’t the same because instead of being too focused on specifically one child, she had to focus on her seven children who are adults and her

by Jessi, San Mateo I usually ride my bike almost every morning at three AM to the bust stop by the gas station. I go to the gym and then ride my bike back home by nine to get ready for school. I used to have a black and red cruiser with a cushioned seat. I didn’t mind the heaviness of the bike because it was easier on my backside whereas the old bike I use now has a seat hard as rocks.  I remember asking my mother how to ride a bike when I was younger. I had seen

by Psmacks, San Francisco I wouldn’t say it’s a gift of words but I would say this is some information to help you succeed in this lifetime. You don’t have to play the game you see everybody else playing.  Now, reread that sentence, don’t let that go over your head. What I mean by that is this new generation base their life off of what everybody else is doing in the moment. Yeah, you might be that guy everybody praises but really think about it. After a while, people will forget about you once somebody else do the same thing

by Isabella, San Francisco The first person I would like to thank is my mom. Honestly my mom is one of the best things in my life. I remember before my mom it was just me and my dad.  It was hard for my dad to raise a kid like me on his own so when my mom came into our life I finally had a woman/mother figure to look up to. Honestly I don’t know what I would do without her.  Second, I would like to thank my dad. My dad met me when I was a baby at

by GR, Santa Clara What motivates me to try to do better is quite a few things. I’ve been just doing me for a while dealing with my circumstances, but all it’s done is end me in here and cause me to lose a lot of people due to my actions. I’m tryin’ to do better for my younger brothers so they could learn right from wrong and so I could be there in they life. I’m tryin’ to change my ways and ignore the BS that’s just gone hold me back from succeeding.  For me, it’s about respect and