Artwork made by JoeNisha in our Spring 2020 program. When asked about her experience in the program she said, “what I like about the workshop is that we were able to write a story about the neighborhoods that we lived in and how we want to fix them. Also, I liked that we were able to draw it out and show how we want to fix it and how it is now. I liked being able to hear about other people neighborhoods and how they are. I would like others to see like how dirty and trashy the neighborhood is and actually want to try to help fix it instead of letting it stay how it is. Because it’s not good. I also want others to try to help make it better not just kids but older people and young people too. Yes, I felt differently after the projects and writing the story cause at the in the beginning I thought like yeah, we kids and they probably not going to listen to what we say and I felt like we wasn’t going to be able to change it. But, after writing and drawing it and actually looking at the neighborhoods I feel like we can actually fix it; like we can actually do something to help the people and the kids and the people on drugs and the housing and stuff if we really wanted to and push hard to do it . I reflect on the project in helping everybody that need help and fixing what need to be fixed in the communities.”

This moving writing sample is written by Larry, a fifth grader, from our Spring 2020 Program. When asked about his time during our program he said, “ I Liked that it took time out of day to do real work. I wasn’t on games or outside doing nothing. I was doing something educational, it was real work.” When asked about how he feels about the community he said, ”I feel like people should do more to help communities. There are some really bad neighborhoods and some good ones.”

Artwork made by Lareya in our program.

Artwork completed by Lynnden in our Spring 2020 program. When asked to reflect on his art he said, “I thought about what to do, how I want to be successful.” When asked how this program made him feel he said, “ I felt good with what I was going to do with my life. I want to see happy neighborhoods.” When he was asked for a final reflection on everything he talked about he said, “People used to live in neighborhood. Why they don’t live there anymore? Crime and police all the time.”

This is part one of four writing excerpts from Larry, a youth in our Spring 2020 Living in the Hood Program.

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A writing piece by Lareya, a tenth grader, in our Spring 2020 program.

Part one of four of a writing piece by Lemaree, a youth in our Spring 2020 program. “I liked that we got to share our stories with other people. Brings enjoyment.” When asked to reflect on the program he said, “made me see what’s happening in the world now. That there is a difference in the neighborhoods. Some are beautiful and some not.”

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