Category: Piece of the Week

by Sebastian As Mother’s Day gets closer and closer, it makes me even more excited about getting out so I can go see her. It’s been over two years since I last saw her, and she was crying because I was leaving.   She was crying because she was sad that day. Hopefully, when I see her again, if she’s crying, it’ll be because she’s happy.  My mom has done so much for me. I don’t know how I could ever even begin to repay her for all her love, support, and nourishment. She hasn’t just done a lot for

by Jesse Ayers Thanks for the letter and the prompt. I appreciate you reaching out. I’ll do my best to describe what “lockdown” is like for me, in a way that is relatable to anyone.  Being locked down is a lot like being a tree that just got pruned. Trees receive nutrients from the sun through what is called photo-synthesis. When a tree loses its leaves and branches, its roots grow deeper into the soil to soak up nutrients from the earth in order to survive. When the tree’s branches grow back and its leaves return, it is finally rooted

by LC I understand why the governor wants everybody at home instead of outside.  This Coronavirus is spreading faster and faster.    A lot of people are taking it as a joke.  They’re still doing what they want to do.  A lot of families are struggling to find food and toilet paper, and cleaning supplies.     People are buying everything they can get their hands on.  The president is giving out Stimulus checks for $1200 plus $500 for every American child.  This is because a lot of people are struggling to work and get hours to be able to pay for the rent.  Only American

by Eddy I define success when you don’t have to stress.  Put your mind to the test and you’re able to rest.  When you’re no longer in poverty, laughing and joking.   Thinking to yourself, like can’t nothing bother me.  Success is when you beat the statistics of what they said you were gonna be and your standing at the top thinking, I know they envy me.   Success is when you got consistency and stability and where you don’t have to fake anything.  Walk anywhere with your head held high like this is the real me.  Success is when

by Baby K I’ve said goodbye to a lot of people before and after they died. The first goodbye I ever said was to my mom when I realized that there was no fixing our relationship.   The second goodbye I’ve said was to my baby sister. We had my little sister from birth until she just turned one-year-old. It really hurt me to say goodbye because she had just started to say my name, and whenever I wouldn’t pick her up she would cry. What hurts me the most, though, is that I will never be able to see her again because the

by Jojo I am going to be first in my family to graduate from a four-year program. I will major in biogenetic science and further study to become a prosthetic engineer in honor of my father. The college of choice is UCLA or UCD. I’m willing to put in the work and give it my all to accomplish my goal. Once I’m out of here, I want to serve the less fortunate at homeless shelters or soup kitchens. But my main goal is to eventually open my own homeless shelter once I get the money and support that I need. 

by So Shady I was fifteen years old. I was my mom’s favorite kid. She never told me that, because I have three brothers and she had to say that she loved us all equally, but I knew I was the favorite.  My big brother was the troubled one. He was always in trouble. He smoked and was in and out of jail. I told my mom I would never turn out like him and she made me promise. I had just gotten into high school. I was supposed to attend Berkeley High but I ended up attending McClymonds High.

by Lanna I’ve seen my own brother die in front of me. It could’ve been me if I was sitting on his side of the car. And even though I am thankful I am here, I still lost my brother and it doesn’t sit right.  He was always there for me. Whenever I needed him, he was right there. Seeing him in that casket lifeless hurt me deep. It was like losing my best friend. I didn’t think it was gonna happen so soon. I thought we were gonna win together. But I know if he was still here, he’d

by Y I’ve been coming here on and off for four years. That’s like nine times in total. I was fourteen the first time I came here. It was for some dumb shhh in school. My first time here I was locked up for two months.  Today I’m seventeen, fighting to get back home, though my PO recommends hall time and placement 6-9 months then some, basically a year, for what? Getting caught up with a little as gun. The first time I came here i should have done my max time and I would have been terminated. Now, because

 by Cd When I was fourteen years old, I went down. I got separated from my mom, aka my best friend. She was really disappointed in me because she knew I could do better.  I was down for eight months and that eight months was hell because I couldn’t have fun or enjoy being with my best friend – my mom. That was my dad too.  My mom means everything to me because she always has been there for me since my dad left me and got locked up for a double murder. He got twenty-five to life without parole.  To be