by Lexi, Albuquerque Detention Center, NM
It’s Lexi. I know I haven’t written in a while since I been out of jail, but I got a few updates for you. Since I was released from JDC I’ve been doing really well for myself since I got out of rehab. I moved into my own place which feels like a big accomplishment for me. I’m still getting my apartment put together at the moment.
I have been working with two organizations in my community upon my release from jail. I actually work for an organization called La Plazita Institute. It’s located in the South valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The other organization I do work for is called SWOP which stands for Southwest Organizing Project. I work with those two organizations and have become an active advocate for youth in my community.
I sit on three committees that focus on the youth in my community. The first committee I sit on is called AJ4Y which stands for Albuquerque Justice 4 Youth. This committee is made up of twenty-three to twenty-five different organizations that meet once a month to discuss the issues surrounding our youth and our youth families. When it comes to the AJ4Y collaborative meeting, our job as organizers and youth advocates is to report what is happening with our youth and what changes we need to make in order for our youth to succeed. We put plans in place to help our youth by arranging meetings, events, groups, visits to the court houses, going to the legislature to get laws passed etc.
The second committee I sit on is called JDAI which stands for juvenile detention alternatives initiative. The last committee I sit on is called the youth advisory committee. I sit on these committees and voice my concerns surrounding the youth in my community and what our youth need in order for them to succeed and have a future. I am big on helping our youth in our community.
Since the last time I wrote I have decided to go with a different path instead of becoming a doctor. I have been working in all sorts of trades, from cashiering to sales associate to fast food and now I’ve been working as a NA (nurse’s aide) till I have my CNA (certified nurse’s aide) license.
I have been in my CNA classes for two weeks now and next Friday, which is December fifteenth, I’ll be doing my state test to become a licensed CNA. Once I have my license I’ll be making twenty-one dollars an hour.
Don’t get me wrong, I have had some ups and downs and have been struggling with addiction but I have gotten myself back on track. I am doing so much better now that I’m on track. I have been living by myself now for two months, almost three months now. That’s all I got for now.
I can’t remember what else I was going to tell you guys. I know the holidays are coming up and I just want to wish everyone a good Christmas.