JDAI Site Updates
'Beat Within' Travels to Bernalillo, New Mexico
"The Beat Within" is a weekly magazine that publishes the writing and art of incarcerated youth in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Detained youth write about their life experiences and are encouraged to express their true feelings. As a result they improve their own reading and writing skills, develop empathy for one another and build a more positive self-image.
Weekly writing workshops have been underway in the Bernalillo County (Albuquerque, N.M.) Juvenile Detention Center for about a year.
Steve Serna, a youth program officer turned "Beat Within" coordinator, is a writer himself. Initially reluctant to take on additional work, he became intrigued after reading the magazine. He is now a convert and a champion of the workshops, encouraging youth to join soon after they arrive at the detention center.
"I have seen firsthand how this program has changed my attitude and that of other staff toward kids in detention," Serna said.
"As we listen to their voices and read their words, we begin to see them for who they are – individuals. It helps us feel connected to one another. I would have to say that there are many benefits on all different levels."
Following a recent site visit, "Beat Within" staff complimented the JDAI site: "We were impressed with the progressive attitudes, affection for the kids and embrace of 'The Beat' as a meaningful program," said Patricia Johnson, director of the California Council on Youth Relations, a sister project to "The Beat."
"Steve does an awesome job in maintaining respect and encouraging thoughtful contributions from the young writers," Johnson added. "In the session we were a part of, every young person wrote at least a couple pieces. And then, on the following day, the young people stepped up and read their pieces at a facility-wide assembly. Very courageous!"
Recently published work by Bernalillo County youth tackled the question of hope:
God Gives Me Hope: What gives me hope is, God, when shhh gets hard I pray. I try to go to church as much as possible, and also my daughter she gives me more hope then anything else. When it seems like I don’t have anything, at least I still got her, and even when shhh get hard I know I have to do for her. It doesn’t really give me hope, but I like to listen to music it calms me down. -Kalee
Outside Support: What gives me hope is when my family answers my calls. They make me feel like they’ll pick me up when ever I fall. When I get mad because I’m in a bad situation they tell me to calm down, and I got to be patient. The only thing that keeps me stable and motivated is their words and their voices. They give me advice on what I should do so I could pick the right choice. They keep me informed on what's really going on, looking after my son since his daddy’s not at home. I thank you and appreciate all that you do for me. To my family I love you all whether I’m in jail or on the streets. Much love. -Reggie
My Sister Gives Me Hope: What gives me hope is my sister, she helps me a lot and she’s been there for me when my mother wasn’t. Like now my mom just up and left, sometimes I feel like why she had me if she wasn’t going to take care of me. It’s like my sister is my mom, and I love her, but I love my mom. I just don’t understand why she abandoned me, and now only my sister visits me here in the D-home. My sister is the one that keeps my head up, and makes me feel good so that is what gives me hope. –Rastice
According to Serna, a one-time, 66-page publication is available. Modeled on the San Francisco weekly, it features the best work by youth in Bernalillo County.
Pacific News Service/New America Media publishes "The Beat Within," and many funders support the project. It began in 1996 when a social worker inside San Francisco's Youth Guidance Center realized that there was no vehicle for the anguish he heard in the voices of incarcerated youth. The program not only strengthens youths' self-image, it builds in them a feeling of belonging to a community of writers. The weekly publication, available online, reaches a growing audience that includes judges, probation officers, police officers, community workers and families.
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| Bernalillo County, N.M., workshop coordinator Steve Serna (middle); Patricia Johnson, director of the California Council on Youth Relations; and David Inocencio, "The Beat Within" director/founder, in the visiting room at the detention center. |
For more information, visit “The Beat Within” website at www.thebeatwithin.org.
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