Category: Piece of the Week

by Ziggy, San Mateo Looking back to the biggest lesson I learned in 2023, it’d most definitely have to be to never give up on something, even when the chances of success are little to none.  I learned this lesson when I was in school and I had four days to raise my grades from all “B’s” to all “A’s,” so I could give my graduation speech and receive my award for being valedictorian. There was very little chance for changes with there being so little time left. But I used it as motivation to get my assignments turned in. 

by Sonny, San Francisco I take care of myself by making sure I eat and keep up with my hygiene, like brushing my teeth and showering every day. I also make sure my bed is comfortable since I’m in juvenile hall. I have three mattresses and a lot of blankets.  I remember when I ran from a group home and had to be on my own for two weeks. I went to my friend’s house to take a shower and brush my teeth. I had my mom send me money and I was using my money smart by buying what

by ER, Stanislaus Some things in life aren’t always easy to accept. Maybe it’s guilt. You might be ashamed or maybe you don’t want to believe that this is reality. But everybody needs a reality check or an eye-opener. I’m ER, I’m currently in juvenile hall, Stanislaus County. It’s been about a week and I still have seventeen more days until my next court date. Not sure if I’ll even make it out. Hopefully a placement is found for me. That’s the only way I’ll have a chance to make it out.  My poor decisions are making it hard for

by Marlon, San Francisco Freedom isn’t being incarcerated in any prison, jail or j-hall and having a scheduled plan for you every day. Also, it’s not being told how you have to dress and act towards others.  Also, it’s not being watched daily by even people you don’t like or get along with on a daily basis. You might even run into people from your past that you might not get along with or just want problems with just to get clout or have their homies mess with them more as a person, trying to gain respect or possibly anything

by LH, Sacramento “Happy holidays,” they sayNothing seems happy when you are far awayI take the time out of my day to let you know that I own up to my mistakes.Kings and queens in a castle like a game of speed Running out of time, damn I wish I had my teamMy mom, the greatest person, but damn, her criticism is meanI know she means well so I don’t blame her, I blame me If only I would have chosen a different route I would be with my king in a castle all aloneWondering why his mommy can’t be,Be with him, be the

by M, San Francisco  What motivates me every day is my baby mama and my newborn child on the way. The reason why that motivates me is because I want to prove to those who doubt me and don’t believe in me every day.  I also wanna be able to prove to my whole family or at least those who still care, and that are there, but I’m going to be the best father for my child, and be possibly better than my father has been in my personal childhood. For example, being in this position really had me think

by MV, Sacramento  My little ones are my two younger brothers. I love them both to death although I’m not close to them. Through the years of 2020 to now I feel like I felt responsible for them as an older sister. I am the oldest alongside my twin of four. My two younger brothers are my life although I wasn’t too active in theirs I still try to be around. I know my brothers think I’m mean sometimes but it’s tough love, I like to think. I hope my little ones don’t think of me differently ‘cause I’m incarcerated

by Sione, San Mateo When I first came here to the US, we lived with our uncle for almost a year or so. I met my mom’s best friend’s kid and he was very young. I loved the kid, so I started to be around him and treat him like my son. I got to know him better while I was with my uncle. There was another kid but he was older and more aggressive, and he liked to chase me with anything that would do damage or he would bite me out of nowhere. I tried to be nice

by Worried Big Brother, Stanislaus The little one in my life is my little sister. The reason why I chose my little sister is because, to be honest, I don’t know. My little sister has just always been someone I had a heart for.  When we were younger I used to share a room with her. My parents would have us take baths together. We always went swimming together. We ate dinner together. We just did everything together. But, a reason I’m always worried about her is because she is the only blood sibling I grew up with. I would

 by D, Sacramento Love is a tough subject for me in many ways. It’s something I’ve always desired, despised, fiended for and got the tough side of. I didn’t get it when I needed it and it was something I gave up on. It seems that the love I give out, I never get in return.  Nobody shows the unconditional love that I do. The loyalty through thick and thin. It’s messed up ain’t it. Yeah now let me tell you what made me have the desire for love. I grew up without my mother because she died when I