by Patrick Torres, Middle and High School Program Director
This year we are continuing our New Stages program at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. Last fall, we worked with a group of young women to turn their experiences into poetry. Under the guidance of professional hip-hop and TAP teaching artist, Jbro, the participants learned how to share their unique perspectives to create captivating pieces and tap into their creativity. As a group, the poets also decided to work together to write an original hip-hop that share their collective feelings about incarceration and the lessons they have learned.
In every way, this class introduced these amazing young women to the power of their own voices and how their thoughts, experiences, and imaginations can engage and affect anyone who hears their story.
Currently, Jbro is professionally recording their original work at a local music studio. When he is finished, the young women will not only have a professionally produced copy of the work they so boldly put forward, but an opportunity to share their talent with the rest of us.
