Category: Piece of the Week

-Emily, Yolo When I am lost, I feel like I have nobody by my side and I feel like I am stuck and don’t know what to do. I feel very lonely and have low self-esteem. I look at myself differently and become negative. If you have a therapist, you see weekly, so you can talk to, it can make a difference.  Simply talking with a grown up or a close friend can make a difference in your life. Maybe try something new you’ve never done before, simply taking a walk, whatever that can get you out of your funk.

-Jorge, San Mateo What’s up Beat? I hope all is well with everyone. My week has been good for real. Today, I’m talking about being blessed. Personally, I feel blessed no matter what’s going on. Waking up each and every day for me is a big enough blessing.  I know that for many of us, being in this situation will make many of us feel the opposite. What some of us don’t know or see at the moment, is that it can be a blessing in disguise.  See, I have been doing this for almost five years and although it’s

-SK, San Mateo My favorite food is seafood boil and soul food. If you aren’t feeling this type of food, then you have never ate real food before because soul food would really smack you in your soul. I’ve for real grown up eating this type of food since I was a boy and ever since I fell in love with these foods.  When I got released last year all the restaurants I been to was something that served soul food or seafood boils. I also love Chinese food and Mexican food because I would eat them a lot too,

-Ryder, San Francisco I would love to one day be a father. It’s something that I have thought about a ton, but not something that I want for myself yet. Before I have a kid, I’d like to be in a much more stable and comfortable financial situation, as well of course to be on the outside.  I am blessed to have been raised by both of my parents together, and I’d like to do the same when I have a child. My parents instilled a solid work ethic in me, as well as a solid moral compass and a

-Mighty Mouse, Marin There are many words out there to describe my best friend. Actually, there isn’t enough words to describe my best friend.  My best friend is smart, sweet, caring, loving, beautiful, and so much more. I could tell that person everything and anything. I’ve known my best friend for seventeen years. I love going on hikes or to zoos or amusement parks with her. As long as I’m with my best friend, I’m happy.  I hope to have my best friend for the rest of my life. My best friend is my mother. Take advantage of your mom

-Zayy Sleeze, San Mateo “There are two kinds of worries: those you can do something about and those you can’t.” Duke Ellington  I’m a big over thinker. I often catch myself worried about things I cannot control or change. I do this because I want things to go as planned. Yet, everything always goes wrong for me. I want my life to be better, but I’m always stuck in the middle of something. I feel like I have a lot of weight on my shoulders. I want to change, but I just can’t. I want to give my son a

-Raycheese, San Francisco I’m mad at myself for letting myself, my friends, and my family down. I made a promise to all of them that I would never become incarcerated again and do better with myself. Everyone makes mistakes, but as a young man, I know right from wrong. I had an interest in the wrong things, and it led me and others down the wrong path, which cost us our freedom and our friendship. I’m mad at myself because I left a lot of people I love and owe loyalty to. I am serving a long-term sentence, and to

-Heavy Fro, San Francisco I try my hardest to get to where I want to be. I ask for advice when I need it and learn from my mistakes. For black history month, I remember and honor Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. I chose MLK because he spoke up for black and brown people when everyone was scared to. His words made a change. Even to this day, people talk about him and repeat his speeches. I chose Rosa Parks because she stood up for herself, which got her arrested, and it made people think more clearly. They started

-Dennis, Yolo Pain is a beautiful part of the process of growth. I have been through tremendous amounts of pain, physically and mentally.  That made me the man I am today, which puts me through so much pain, and it made me very humble and resilient. This is a key component to success.  If you don’t know how to use your pain to your advantage, it can become an anchor to your life.

-Alejandra, San Mateo “Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey This quote stands out to me because a new year is always a new start. Don’t let last year be what your new year will be. This is the time where you manifest all your dreams and hopes. Don’t get discouraged. Keep thriving to reach your goals.  Let go of all the grudges you hold on to. Forgive them and stop carrying all that negative energy on you!