Category: Life Stories

by Ghost, San Mateo I’m going to talk about taking my first college classes. The first time I took college classes was here in the YSC (Youth Services Center aka Juvenile Hall). I was working in a normal class in school when I found out about it. I was just chilling in class when this teacher came in. He started talking about how we would have sessions in his class that we could take online through Zoom.  We were told that we were going to get college credits and normal credits in high school as well. I don’t know why

by Lalo, San Francisco I was born on 5/19/2004 in Brazil. Growing up was full of tough times for me. I only met my dad one time at the age of 10, in court, when he signed the papers giving my mom full custody of me. I also grew up without my mother from the age of 5 to 12 when she left Brazil to come to the United States for a better life. She left without giving me any explanation about why she was leaving. I still remember how I screamed and begged her not to leave me, and

by RJ, Sacramento If I had to teach something, I would try to teach youth that gang banging, and trying to sit on the block or trying to hang out with gang members is not the way to go. Trying to fit in with others that you do not belong with can cost you your life.  What I mean by that is one little situation at the wrong place and wrong time can have you dead or doing life in jail. I know some people have that type of family that makes you grow up in that – not typically

by MR, Sacramento A time I put in hard work was a couple months ago. I was locked up and they told me I wasn’t goin’ to graduate on time. They said maybe next year if I put in effort. Mind you I was already in my fourth year and I didn’t have no credits.  Damn near felt like dropping out, but being locked up was my advantage ‘cause all I had was time to focus on my credit recovery. I really thought it was impossible. I had six credits as a senior, so I asked the teacher in the

by Faith, San Mateo About a month and a half ago I got a call from my social worker. She was trying to sound all nice and was like, “You’re not going to like the news I am about to give you, but I have no choice, we are taking you out of your father’s care.”  I remember sitting all quiet because I had no words.  She asked me if I was okay, all I said was, “I don’t want to talk.” I hung up automatically and broke down. I couldn’t even talk; I was crying so much I couldn’t

by Georgie, San Mateo October 31, 2020, 8:20PM. I’m chillin’ in my girl’s room watching her put on her makeup, not just no regular makeup, the type they use for movies to make cuts and scratches look hella real.  We got invited to this Halloween party, so we were going to go see what it was all about. My girl’s friend was the one who was throwing the party.  She told us she rented out an Airbnb, got hella food, and decorated it.  My girl takes hella long to get ready, so we were barely on our way like around

by Salvador, Santa Clara When I was on the outside my days used to be the opposite of interesting. Most of the time I used to repeat the same routine over and over again. There were some parts that I liked about it and certain parts that I didn’t. But first, I’m going to tell you the things that I used to do when I was on the outside.  First wake up, go straight to the bathroom, get ready for school, do school online, go to the 7-Eleven for a coffee and if I had more money then get something

 by Anthony, San Mateo  This is going to be about my five to six years in elementary school. First grade was in San Bruno Allen Elementary, the school behind the San Bruno library on El Camino Real. It was the good life in first grade, having to not worry about anything in life but passing my easy lil’ kid packet and class with one teacher. I had hella friends and it was a good life. I don’t even know how to say it. It was definitely a trouble and stress-free life, just living, when thinking is not what you do.