Valentines from the teens at the YIC

Hello everyone! We hope you enjoyed reading our first issue of What's Up? Magazine. It was a pleasure to piece together for the teens.

Below are some additional writings by teens at the Youth Intervention Center. They were provided by Scott Feifer, a teacher that conducts two programs at the center, "The Writing Circle" and "People and Stories." These writings were from a Valentines program with "The Writing Circle." Thank you, Scott, for sharing them with us! We hope the readers enjoy them.

Comments and additional Valentines are welcome!

It’s Valentine’s and I feel so empty and weak in my heart. I look at the blocks in my cell, and everything goes dark. Then I think of y’all on my last Valentine’s Day. Then reality hits, and everything else fades away. You guys are the only thing keeping me together, because I know my memories of y’all will last forever. I hope y’all can feel the love I express through this pen and know that you’re just not my family but my best friends. I’m trying not to cry as I write this poem, but this is the only way my love is showing. -James

To A Special Someone!

The moment I saw you and felt that Crazy sensation, I couldn’t help it but tell you that I Love You! -Rodolfo

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Every night I may dream of you

I may love you I don’t know

But you are my mother that I do know

Happy Valentine’s Day

-Paige

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I miss the kids at Garden Spot

I miss the music I listen to.

I miss the concerts

I mostly miss my family and my friends

Mom, I’m sorry. Let me come home.

PLEASE.

-Brad, 15

I thank you for being on my side and not giving up on me and teaching me to be more respectful. I couldn’t do it without you and Maria being on my side. You’ve been like a father to me. In the short time we had, I realized it’s good to take the first step, and I will always remember you and Maria in my stories I tell to my kids. And when you go and get that surgery, I hope you stay strong. -Rachon

This message is for Maria:

Thank you for all you’ve done for me. It means a lot to me because some people never fought for me to be better, and when I do bad you always give me advice to be better and try to do my best. You share a lot of your caring and for me usually I’m sometimes shy around new caseworkers. I think God gave you a gift to work with me, and out of all the caseworkers I’ve had you were simply the best one I ever had. -Rachon

Charles,

I love you more than oreos love cream, more than 7^th graders love to daydream, more than peanut butter loves jelly. You’re best friend and brother, the one who makes my heart laugh when it wants to cry. Happy Valentine’s Day. I’m sending hugs and kisses your way.

Love, Diana

Dear Dad,

I know that sometimes it hurts to love me,

And I’m sorry that I’ve bruised your heart

and made it bleed

I make my amends to you once again.

I miss you, I love you, and I appreciate all that you’ve done.

Thanks for being here and loving me unconditionally.

Happy Valentine’s Day

from your Nana Banana

the passion of love

bursting into flame

is more powerful than death

stronger than the grave

Love cannot be drowned

by oceans or floods

it cannot be bought

no matter what is offered

I love you Kourtney

-Mark

Like the stars in the sky

I am calling to you

from the heavens above

I am looking for you

In the depths of my soul

I will live and breathe for you

sadness dwells inside you

you have nothing to fear

for I will protect you

I can feel your sadness

Let me be sad for you

So you will feel love once again

worry not about life

let me worry for you

you should always love life

for it is a part of you

I’ll be there when you fall

to catch you and say I Love You!

Happy Valentine’s Day Kourtney

-Mark