Unlocking Creativity to Transform Lives
Writers in Residence teaches creative writing to youth who are incarcerated to empower their voices and assist in their re-entry into society.
"I learned about Joy"
"It was empowering and a safe space to express myself"
"I like this program because I get to get things off my chest"
"I needed Writers in Residence, I got to put what was on my mind while no one saying nothing"
"I learned how to cope by using creative writing and there's multiple opportunities to go far with it"
"I know what I need to do to be successful mentally"
Facilitate a smooth transition for youth back into their communities.
I come from a small town, where everyone Knew each other and everything that went on. Kids who would go to school and as soon As we all got home we would link at The park play football or catch things in The lodi creek. I come from the town where not everyone Got along and but most tried. Kids would fist fight and make up the day After like nothing happened. And every day the same old lodi kids Would do the same thing just different Day.
I remember when me and my sisters was at p.o.c park and this little girl that look like the mom off rugrats threw a ball at my sister and pushed her off the swing and I dragged the girl to a mud puddle and me and my other sister threw her in the mud. the thing is she used to think she was a bully and I wasn’t goin her name was shariyah and she aint have no edges. Moral of the story, behind mines, we an go to war with all yours 100 and loose no sleep.
Dear future self, don’t do anything to get yourself back in jail when you get out you need to get back in school so you can get a job and maybe even play sports, save up money so i can get a car soon stay off of drugs because obviously the get ya nowhere in life but they can get you locked up. Dear future self just keep yo head UP.
Power on, power off Setting picked up and put down all day [no idea] on top of me, see right through me Let you know what’s going on by vibrating Crack my screen, it happens just don’t forget to put me on my charger.
I come from being a nobody I come from places where it’s not muddy From a single mom with no support To steppin in things I couldn’t afford A hustler, a go-getter, that’s who I am From hated to everyone being a fan
I feel like this is a collage of kids put together from different backgrounds that is being forced to grow up faster than they want I also see two hands held out like they begging for something some of the kids don’t have on shoes so they are probably struggling.
1. I once was a great mobile car 2. I would see so many places and so many faces 3. I hung out with other cars like me 4. Then one day I crashed it was a dumb accident 5. I thought I could keep movin and that the fires would go away 6. But the I got more and towed away 7. They found all my diesel and oils so I was put in impound 8. I said I could be fixed so I went to the mechanic’s but then they said I was too broke and brought me back
You’re acting dumb, bro you’re tweaking You got to chill all this ain’t worth it You just got out and you on the way back You got six siblings think about that Focus on your priorities You tweaking bout old sh*t leave that in the past Your time is gonna double if you don’t chill 11 times in 3 years, this ain’t the life. Put it on some paper, speak about it, Stop turning up cause you’re angry at the world. No more dope get out of the game. You’re running ruining lives, got momma’s tweaking 22 days left, that’s a nap I’m done with my old ways, I’m never coming back
1. rocks & Stars takes place in space. 2. Sharks, dogs, snakes 3. Eating brings me Joy.
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Created by Paul Gehrig
