Category: Piece of the Week

by Amar, Santa Clara I don’t consider myself a grown-up yet, even though I’m eighteen. I don’t think age makes you an adult, but being responsible does. Being able to handle money makes you responsible. Most kids don’t have the habits of saving or investing money, which builds self-responsibility and responsibility for your loved ones. When you have money saved and some invested in stocks, you are able to fend for yourself in situations like car problems, payments, and can help your loved ones if they need to be lent money.  If you are broke, living check to check, you

Jesus, San Diego Happy 25th Anniversary, Beat. I am honored to be a part of this organization. I have been with this program for almost 20 months. If this program didn’t benefit me I would not contribute. I am grateful that this program has found me. I was in a very dark place and this program was my light.  I have a hard time expressing my emotions vocally but I’m good on paper. I just want to say thank you. I appreciate The Beat and I’m not sure what I would do without it or where I’d be within!

by TM, Sacramento Every day in my cell not being home, I overthink if my mom is still okay. Is she doing good? Does she have enough money for herself? How is her and my little sister doing? Is she/they stressed because I am in jail? And have things changed since I been in jail? Are they hurt or emotionally hurt? I be worried sick in my cell everyday about them and to get them off my mind. Nothing ever works because they are always, always on my mind. I try to do things like play basketball or draw to

by D, Sacramento Being an overthinker is one of the worst things you can be. Most battles are in your mind and if you are an overthinker like I am, it can be hard. When you are an overthinker, you think very deeply into a certain subject.  Sometimes deeper than you need to. You start to think about what-if’s and what can possibly happen. Overthinking can cause anxiety and maybe even depression. You can spend hours and even days thinking over and over about a specific thing.  Overthinking can also be a good thing. It can lessen the possibilities of

by AL, Santa Clara  Life is not always easy, there’s a constant struggle occurring every single day. But it’s a beautiful struggle, and I refuse to succumb to my adversities. Instead, I learn and I grow from my mistakes ‘cause life’s a test.  Being in here showed me it’s lonely at the top when you focused on doing better and bigger things. People envy you, they rather see me dead or in prison ‘til you rot before they ever give you props. I’ve been going through a lot but I ain’t got nothin’ to prove. I learned tryin’ to please

by CS, Sacramento My greatest teacher is life itself, or myself alone. Because I didn’t really have anybody to tell me right from wrong, so I taught myself to survive and fit in. I started learning what to do and what not to do by trial and error.  For a long time, I didn’t know how to tie my shoes, so I would tie the ends in knots and cut them short. Another teacher for me was my grandma. She didn’t physically or verbally teach me, but by watching her, I learned what not to do.  She was going through

by Jr., San Mateo My greatest teacher was my father, my mother, my brother and my grandma. My father was one of my greatest teachers because he was wiser than me, so he knew how to say things to me. My dad taught me how to make money legally without having to hurt someone. He normally told me about past experiences and how to hold my own weight. My dad and me had a lot of ideas to make legal money like travel agencies, real estate, stocks and becoming an entrepreneur.  My mom was also one of my greatest teachers

by Raul, San Diego My story is lifeHappiness, love, games, and unknownMy story is painHated instantly and gangsMy story is lavishMoney, sex, and experiencesMy story is crimeDesperation, time, and understandingMy story should end hereBut I won’t let itMy story has only just startedMy story will be told to those who have chosen thatThey will not lose to the handOf statistics and stereotypesOur story must be heard

by Jeramiah, Albuquerque, New Mexico My grandparents are Isabella and Randy. These two amazing and significant individuals have been around me my entire life. I say they are amazing because they have been with me through my ups and downs.  When I got locked up, they were one of the very few who actually wrote me and wanted to talk to me. They made me so happy to have them around. I thank them for giving me the best life they could give to me. I have learned that I appreciate and respect them with my entire being. They are

by Adam, Albuquerque, New Mexico The one thing that I haven’t done that I really want to do is spend time with my daughter. She is about to be six months in a couple of days. This has been on my mind ever since she was born. I have a couple of pictures of her, and I can’t stop looking at them. She’s the one that keeps me going.  She made me realize the purpose of my life. She made me a better person. To see my daughter, I will have to get out of JDC. I need and want