Tears Are Falling, Times Are Rough
    by J.D., a.k.a. Rome

    Tears are falling, times are rough
    I cry so much, my tears turn tough
    I try to be a man, and it hurts to fall
    I try to help my mother, hands bleedin'
    and all
    My life is crazy, I just want a way out
    Someone please help me put some
    food in my mouth
    My stomach is crying out loud
    (I put my head down because in my
    heart I'm far from proud)
    People just understand us and our life
    This world is a game, we only have
    three strikes
    People don't even look at us like
    human beings
    Our Father long gone and our Mom
    doing the wrong things
    I tell myself I'ma be alright
    Even though I'm bad in the days and
    terrible by life
This page is dedicated to the creative minds of our youth.  
Enjoy!
    Can Somebody Tell Me Why?
    by T.M., a.k.a. Captain

    Can somebody tell me why
    So many people have to die
    Leaving their families behind &
    Children all alone wishing somebody
    Was there at home to hold them & tell
    Them to keep strong and hold
    Hold on.

    Can somebody tell me why?

    Can somebody tell me why
    Young people have to go through
    Struggles and its like they
    Have their heart in one hand
    And their soul in the other
    But don’t know how to juggle

    Can somebody tell me why?

    Can somebody tell me why
    Love have to hurt so much & be
    So unforgettable

    Can somebody tell me why?

    Can somebody tell me why
    The world had to become what
    It is today – people killing each
    Other.  No love but hate.

    Can somebody tell me why?

    Can somebody tell me why
    There is poor education
    Not a lot of income for people
    With jobs and not good pay

    Can somebody tell me why?

    Can somebody tell me why
    Communities are so unsafe &
    You can’t walk out your front
    Door without hearing gunshots
    Or police sirens.

    Can somebody tell me why?

    I think I know
    The answer!

    Because don’t nobody
    Care anymore
    Like their lives
    Aren’t in jeopardy
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Drawing by T.J., pencil on paper.
A Mentee's Reflections on Graduating
from High School
My name is Brandon.  I'm 18 years old and I'm
proud to be a graduate of Foundations High
School.  During these last four years, I had
some rough times.  Some ups and some
downs.  Getting locked up was a down for me,
but graduating high school is definitely an up.
And I'm proud of the changes I've made along
the way.

Graduating was pretty hard for me because I
was too busy in the streets and I felt as
though school was just a waste of my time.  
And I thought that I'd be called names just
because I went to school.  But after I stopped
going to school, I got locked up.  And while I
was locked up I started talking with people
who would lead me back to the right track.  
Like towards finishing high school and doing
the right thing by my mother.  I started talking
to people about going to college and getting
financial aid.  I started thinking about doing
something different with my life.  And that's
when I realized the streets weren't for me.  So
here I am finishing high school with a 3.2
grade point average, the second top of the
class. Graduating with flying colors!

I don't know where you all are going to be 5
years from now, but I have some ideas of
where I'll be.  Maybe I'll have graduated from
college, have my own place, and started my
architecture business.  I've already started
towards these goals.  I'll be on my way to
Montgomery College next year and will be
majoring in business management.  I don't
know what challenges I'll face next year, but I
do know that I can overcome any obstacles
that are in my way.
Mentee Poet's Corner