The Beat Within Feed The Beat Within - A weekly publication of writing and art from the inside http://www.thebeatwithin.org Volume A/B 18.19/20 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 15 May 2013 16:15:00 PST Editor's Note - Volume 18.19/20

Welcome back readers, writers, and friends of The Beat Within. It is always an honor to be able to work on, and be a part of such an extraordinary magazine that is truly unique in it's nature. Having been an intern over these past few months is a new experience, which has reminded me that even I am not alone in the struggles of life. Being a young adult I feel a strong connection with youth incarcerated whom I come into contact with. I can only anticipate that by participating in weekly workshops will bring some kind of hope to the many youth who are locked up, but not forgotten.

Struggling for what seems like all my life I have began to wonder if I could have made better choices when I was younger, to be in a better position than where I am today. It can be easy to feel sorry for myself, which causes me to have self-destructive behavior, and only leads to more misery. Not everyone has someone who supports them to achieve their dreams, and I wish I would have listened to those who tried to guide me in the right direction when I was younger.

Having had the opportunity to get a college education, I feel it is now my responsibility to be there for anyone growing up without the help, and love they need to feel hopeful about their future. The work done at The Beat Within has been a great place to begin affecting the lives of youth who are struggling, just as much as myself, if not more. I have found the writing workshops most educational simply by being able to learn from the experience the youth share.

It can be hard to believe but our life's struggles ultimately help to shape us into the people we were destined to be. Growing up in poverty, with a single mother, and becoming pregnant as a teen, I can say my life has not always been peaches and cream. What I now know, is that because of what I went through in life, I am placed in a position where I can connect with youth who are growing up in similar situations to mine. Even today I am still struggling to survive, and as much as people tell me things will get better they only seem to get worse. No matter how many challenges I face each new day I am learning that I need to be grateful for what I do have instead if complaining about everything I don't have.

The writings from the youth inside juvenile hall open my eyes every week to seeing how my ability to overcome life's circumstances, helps to encourage other young people to have more hope in their lives. When we know we are not alone in what we are going through we are able to uplift those around us. The writings from the youth each week that make up The Beat magazine is exactly what helps to uplift other youngsters who are struggling with things in their lives that they think no one else can relate to.

Doing The Beat workshops with the young people in San Francisco has truly made a huge impact in my life. It's easy to get distracted when we are young and never have a chance to think about creating a future outside of what we are use to. I may not think I have come far by going to college for so many years, but motivating teens to live a healthy life and being a positive example has shown me how important it is to stay strong and remain focused.

Helping facilitate The Beat workshops has allowed me to show troubled youth that our failures do not define us, but can help to create us into the people we are destined to be while living up to our full potential, and their writings are a perfect example of this. I hope you all enjoy the pieces shared in this issue, and thank you everyone who contributes each week.

 Thank you Abiba Bola for sharing a part of you with all of us readers. We are honored to have you as a colleague and friend. We truly hope once your internship is complete, you will still keep The Beat Within in mind. There is always a place for you to support and be apart of this work.

This issue goes out to Olivia Holdsworth and Jenna Knapp, co-facilitators of Proyecto Cuéname, based in El Salvador. We are thrilled to feature the work of their young men in this week's issue, as much as we were thrilled to do so for the young women in the previous issue. We hope this is not the last time we hear from Proyecto Cuéname.

 http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 15 May 2013 16:15:00 PST Volume A/B 18.17/18 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 02 May 2013 13:15:00 PST Editor's Note - Volume 18.17/18

Welcome back Beat readers to yet another fabulous issue of writing and art from the inside. This week's double issue, 18.17 and 18.18, is filled with plenty of surprises, as we welcome our new friends from El Salvador, Proyecto Cuéntame. To find out more about Proyecto Cuéntame, we encourage you to read their intro and the fabulous contributions by their young people, starting on page 4.

Now before you head on over, we are thrilled to have this week's editorial note written by our dear colleague and friend, Claudia Jimenez, who has been an incredible asset to the work this year, as a SFSU intern. We hope this is only the beginning and that Claudia will stay connected, even after her graduation from school. Lets pass the computer keyboard over to Claudia, so she can give us a dose of her thoughts!

Creating a positive impact in my community has always been one of my main goals. For a portion of my childhood I lived in San Francisco's Mission District and experienced how hard it can be to avoid trouble and stay on the right path. As I write to you today I reflect on how easily my life could have resulted in a much different outcome. Surviving adolescence is not an easy task, and there are many factors that can affect us both negatively and positively. Outside pressures and the struggle to overcome adversity can feel overwhelming at times. Feeling like society and your community has turned their backs on you can be very traumatic. Being able to change your path in life is an ability we all acquire, and sometimes having the right people in our lives can make all the difference in the world.

Interning for The Beat Within has been a great opportunity for me. Conducting workshops at the Youth Guidance Center (aka San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center) has given me the chance to hear the youth's voices and discover what thoughts and emotions exist within each individual. In life we will all come across a variety of people. Some will only see our flaws and judge us by the poor choices we have made in the past. Others will be able to look beyond the negative stereotypes that have been placed on us and will make the effort to see what we have to offer. Coming to the workshops has allowed me to form a healthy and supportive relationship with the youth I interact with. I want them to know that they are valued by The Beat Within and myself.

Being part of the writing workshops has allowed me to get a glimpse of what it's like to be an incarcerated youth and understand what they are experiencing. Feeling alone and forgotten during such a critical stage in their development can be very difficult. When I prepare for a workshop I am determined to make difference in their day and hopefully make an impact in their lives. I let them know they are not alone in their struggles. I want them to feel a sense of achievement when they finish up an inspiring piece that will be a great addition to the magazine.

I found The Beat Within through my academic advisor at San Francisco State University. I am majoring in Child Development Youth Work and Out of School Time, and part of my graduation requirements is to complete an internship at an agency that works with youth. Although I had a few other options, I chose to be part of The Beat Within because I felt that it would be a great opportunity to make a positive impact. One of my goals is to pass on the knowledge and wisdom I obtained as I transitioned to adulthood. I know that the youth and I share some of the same stressors and anxieties that come with this journey. Being able to find yourself is very important and writing for The Beat Within can make this process much easier.

So to all the youth who are part of The Beat Within, I hope you are able to take advantage of the time you spend writing your pieces during the workshops. I encourage you to create something you are proud to show the world. I see potential in everyone I encounter and I hope you all realize just how much you are capable of. Let your light shine bright for all to see and don't be discouraged by negativity. You have a lot to offer and I wish you the best of luck on your learning journey.

 We could not say it any better. Thank you Claudia for being a part of this incredible program. Your participation plays such an important role in the success of The Beat Within.

This issue goes out to all you youth who have taken the initial steps in continue to create the special and respectful pieces that, as Claudia stated, "are proud to show the world." Speaking of proud to show the world, please take a few moment to read the amazing writings that are featured on page 4 from Proyecto Cuéntame, you will not be disappointed. The writing contributed by these young women teaches us all so much, and for that we are so thankful.

 http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 02 May 2013 13:15:00 PST Volume A/B 18.15/16 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 18 April 2013 12:15:00 PST Editor's Note - Volume 18.15/16

The other day our colleague and friend, Steve Serna, sent us, which he always does, the monthly edition of the BCYSC (Bernalillo County Youth Services Center) newsletter, out of New Mexico. Steve is the man behind putting together this fabulous monthly newsletter for his respected juvenile probation department and courts. As he always does, he includes Beat writings from his weekly sessions.

This go round, he also shared his own observations from one of the weekly writing sessions, which moved us to ask for his permission to reprint his work.

With that said, Bernalillo County has been a partner of The Beat's for well over five years. We are honored to share the following from our dear friend and colleague, Steve Serna, and are equally impressed by the writing from the young people in his workshops, which are featured in this fabulous double issue (18.15/16) of writing and art from the hall and beyond. Take it away Steve!

FEAR
Wow! It's amazing the life stories one hears in the group "The Beat Within." With today's group I went from nine residents to four girls. The five that didn't come were in another group or on a program. The topics were: that important conversation, to the moon, tough times and sharing the good, and then the quote of the week. It turns out the topic "to the moon" struck a different cord than what was written as the topic. In reference to the topic what was asked was, "If money were no object where would you go and what would you do?" The topic seemed simple enough to me, but it was anything but simple to the group.

To the group, the discussion started off about their drug of choice, and how it took them "to the moon." As always, I'm nosey so I started asking questions such as, their age now, their age when they started doing drugs, who got them started on drugs, about their parents; of the four, one started using drugs at the age of eleven, one at the age of fourteen and the other two at fifteen. Of the four, their drug of choice was Meth.

As a parent of two girls, I sit here and can only wonder how did we fail our children as a society? From the get go, all four of these girls were dealt a losing hand without the chance of success, but yet each day these girls moved forward and did whatever they had to survive, deal with the lives they were given; in the end they did what they had to in order to stay alive. No matter the cost to their lives or anyone else's life, (because for them it made no difference) they had to survive and survive they did.

As our discussion progressed, I soon learned that one of the girls was born in prison, and a second one missed being born in prison by a month or less. For all four, they were each born into a world, a society, a community, a home, a family -- all full of drugs, violence, and simply; turmoil.

Now they sit in lock-up, waiting for trial and none are aware of what their outcome might be; all they can do is sit and wait to see what the court system will decide for them because they now no longer have a choice in life. The choices they had have now been taken away, leaving them helpless in mind and body. For now, it's a waiting game with no right direction; all they can do now is put one foot in front of the other and wait on the decision from people they don't know and may never meet. Many have told them, "You had your chance, and blew it. Now it's our turn to make the choices for you." The choice-makers base their decision with what they have read on paper, not what they know of the "person"; to the choice-makers, the person no longer matters and it's all about what they have on file.

The first part of group was a chatter of drug use they've seen or have done in their past. Then we had a discussion about the violence they have each had to endure at their young age, but that was short- lived because the violent part of their past was something I felt they only wanted to forget. We then had a discussion about their addiction. It seemed they all started off with a similar drug and ended with a similar drug, yet totally different drug from the one they each started with. Marijuana and alcohol were the first substances they started. By the time they got booked into detention, they were each doing meth or heroin. At the end of our discussion, we talked shortly about life's desperation and what was next for them.

As our discussion's come to an end, their minds started rolling and the pencils started to flow. I sat and watched as the intensity of each pencil, line after line, was pressed to the paper. Halfway through their writings I sat and listened in total silence; one would let out a sigh, a deep breath, or sound of hurt, or even a sniffle, as if tears were ready to soak the paper. That is when my mind wanders to my two girls, and the thought of some of the wrong choices they have made, yet compared to what could have been is only minor. I can't imagine the thought of losing either of them, especially to a drug known as "meth" or any drug for that matter. As I always say, one step at a time, but take your time. We're all given a choice, let's just hope it's the right one.

Now over an hour later, each have written a piece that is three to four pages long; as I read them, each piece is just as powerful as the next one I read. The girls smile and laugh as they read a few of them out loud. One or two make the comment "I could just start to cry". In the end, each make a comment that all will be well soon, all they need is a little more time, and they will be able to go home again.

As I sit and think about it, it's a sad reality of what they say. It's even more sad knowing they will be back into the same environment, same group of friends, same crime-filled streets; yet the saddest part is they will all go right back into the same drug-infested environment they are so desperately trying to get away from. Something has to change, something has to give. The questions always stands, who? Who will stand to start that change?

-Steve BCYSC YPO I

 What more can we add? Steve says it all in this fabulous commentary about a recent Beat workshop. We can't agree more with Steve, that the workshops are special and truly telling. We do wish more people who work with our young people in the system could experience what we experience through the conversations we have on the various topics each week.

This issue goes out to the young writers in the Bernalillo County Youth Service Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We cannot thank you enough for sharing your art, and your truths with The Beat Within community.

 http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 18 April 2013 12:15:00 PST Editor's Note - Volume 18.13/14

Welcome loyal Beat editorial note readers. Welcome to double issue 18.13 and 18.14! It is with great honor to have this moment to spill some words onto page 2 aka the editor's note. First off, this issue features absolutely stellar pieces of writing from the various counties we lead workshops in each week, as well as a host of powerful pieces sent to us from all over the country, which are proudly featured in the BWO section.

With that said, we want to thank every single contributor who takes the time to share a part of themselves with The Beat Within. Your stories, your art, means so much to us here at The Beat, and to our ever growing readership.

Speaking of our growing readership, did you know The Beat Within has a Facebook page? The Beat Within Facebook page, like our writing workshops and our priceless publication, is organically growing and finding such an amazing following. We cannot thank our Facebook friends enough for taking the time to read, to "like" and to comment on the pieces and art we share daily on our page. The Beat Within Facebook pages makes it a point to at least share two written pieces of work a day with our FB readers, though some days we post three, four, and maybe even five stellar pieces for our wonderful and loyal followers.

Now who are these followers, definitely a host of them are our friends, our colleagues and family. Others are former workshop writers, even some current writers and students who somehow have figure out how to connect with Facebook from the bowels of the system, to community workers and professionals in the know..

We are proud to say there is also a host of people we do not know, who are friends of friends, and there are those, people and programs, we have never heard of, who just so happened to stumble into our world, and for that we thank you. We are honored that you appreciate the writing, the work, that means so much to us here at The Beat Within.

In the last year, we have grown leaps and bounds, at least in our eyes, and it is a matter of a month, or two, we predict, when we hit the 1000 "like" mark. Currently we are knee deep in the 800s, (as of today 4/3/13) 829 to be exact.

Before we move on, we just have to say one more time, THANK YOU, for the love and the support. By your sharing, your reading and your listening, it makes a huge difference in this world. We have heard from some of our friends who were once in the system, and they too are so touched by your loyalty and comments that you share on Facebook.

One final note, in regards to social media, we are also happy to inform you, that we do have a Twitter account/handle too. We usually post art pieces and meaningful quotes as well as periodically sending out announcements. To find us on Twitter, go to @_thebeatwithin.

This issue goes out to all our friends on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for following us. Thank you for believing in our work, and believing in the voice of the voiceless.

 http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Fri, 05 April 2013 11:15:00 PST Volume A/B 18.13/14 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 05 April 2013 11:15:00 PST Check out this video from Digital Storytellers

http://www.beatwithin.org/blog Fri, 05 April 2013 11:15:00 PST Volume A/B 18.09/10 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 07 March 2013 13:15:00 PST Hi Beat Volunteers!

How are you all doing? Wanted to pass on this cool video from an SF State Student, with an appearance by The Beat Within, on the importance of trauma workers taking care of themselves.

So please everyone, take care of yourself!! It is nasty cold and flu season and many of you have been suffering with that, so stay warm! Please know again, how much we appreciate all of your dedication and work and support, we really could not do it without you!!

thank you,

Lisa Lavaysse
 http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 07 March 2013 13:15:00 PST Volume A/B 18.07/08 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 20 February 2013 15:30:00 PST Editor's Note Welcome back Beat readers. We have no idea how many of you are out there, but we are grateful you read us. What you have in your hands is our latest double issue, 18.07/08. The writing as far as this editor is concerned, is fabulous. The many pieces in this issue will tug on your heart strings, will move you to tears, will make you truly look at yourself and the life you are leading, for better or for worse. With that said, it is with great pleasure to bring you some of the most important voices in the world, as they courageously share a part of their lives with you. The writing comes from the heart, as does this editorial note and the host of comments attached to each piece. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 20 February 2013 15:30:00 PST Volume A/B 18.05/06 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 07 February 2013 12:30:00 PST Editor's Note Welcome Beat editorial note readers. Before we get to our special guest writer and colleague, Shreya Lakhan-Pal, who has so kindly offered her story in this week's editorial, we want to welcome the writers and artists from the Alternative Education County Community School in Marin County and the Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center in Champaign, Illinois. We are excited about our new partnerships, and having these new voices join The Beat community. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 07 February 2013 12:30:00 PST Volume A/B 18.03/04 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 24 January 2013 14:30:00 PST Editor's Note Greetings Editorial Note readers, The Beat Within is back with another fabulous edition of insightful writing and art from the inside. We are honored to give you yet another double dose of writings from issue 18.03 and 18.04. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 24 January 2013 14:30:00 PST Our first issue of 2013! A/B 18.01/02 Visit our website to get it and have a happy holiday! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 10 January 2013 14:30:00 PST Editor's Note Here we sit working diligently to complete this first double issue (18.01 and 18.02) of our 18th year, hoping, wishing and planning that the new year – lucky 2013, will bring us the things we wish for the most. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 10 January 2013 14:30:00 PST Our last issue of 2012! A/B 17.49/50 Visit our website to get it and have a happy holiday! http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 19 December 2012 14:30:00 PST Our latest issue Volume A/B 17.47/48 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 05 December 2012 15:30:00 PST Around the web The Beat Within is mentioned and quoted in the following articles. Always flattering. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog Thu, 29 November 2012 14:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume A/B 17.45/46 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 14 November 2012 16:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume A/B 17.43/44 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 01 November 2012 12:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume A/B 17.41/42 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 18 October 2012 13:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume A/B 17.39/40 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 04 October 2012 14:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.37/38 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 20 September 2012 14:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.35/36 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 06 September 2012 14:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.33/34 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 23 August 2012 12:15:00 PST Illustration From The Beat Within We cannot thank Steve Serna, our amazing colleague and friend, who is responsible for this beautiful book. When Steve is not working on this book, he is leading Beat writing workshops with the young people in the Bernalillo County Juvenile Hall in New Mexico. And, when he is not doing that, he is one of the most amazingly dedicated counselors inside juvenile hall, and for that reason, we are so grateful. Thanks Steve! http://www.beatwithin.org/blog Tue, 14 August 2012 14:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.31/32 Visit our website to get it! http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 08 August 2012 14:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.29/30 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 26 July 2012 13:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.27/28 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 12 July 2012 15:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.25/26 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:15:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.23/24 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:15:00 PST Editor's Note Welcome editorial note readers to our latest double issue (17.21/22) of writing and art from the inside. This week we not only have a host of great writings and art to share with you all, but, to start things off, we have our dear friend, Lee Rhyanes, from New Mexico who has kindly offered to write this week's editorial note. We do want to add, that our partnership with him and Voice Behind Walls is incredible. We are honored to work with Lee and the young people he touches each week. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 31 May 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.21/22 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 31 May 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.19/20 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note For issue 17.19/20, we are going to try out a new way of printing The Beat, in two volumes – Volume A and B. Both Volume A and B will have the SAME The Editorial Note, Pieces of the Week (POW), Co Pieces of the Week (CoPOW), The Beat Without (BWO), and any Features of the Week. This means that it will be an EXTRA honor for a piece to be nominated for POW or CoPOW because it will appear in both volumes and be read nationally.

As for the Standout section, the programs will be spilt into the two volumes as follows:

Volume A will be predominantly the Bay Area which will have writing from: San Francisco, Marin, Solano, Alameda, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara.

Volume B will have writing from Fresno, Monterey, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside and states outside of California such as writing from: Portland, Alabama, Washington DC, Hawaii, Dallas, Georgia and New Mexico.

We are hoping that this new format, though a work in progress, will save The Beat some money in printing because the issues will be smaller. It will also give The Beat Without (BWO) section a chance to have a little more meat to it and allow for more space for art--which we know many of you have been asking for. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.17/18 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 PST A couple of post from our Spring 2012 intern, Autumn Darbrow! I fell in love really hard when I was 19 with a guy who, at the time, I thought was the greatest person. He had two kids to another woman and wasn't really doing much with his life, but I looked past all that. He was really good looking, could play music, was artistic, covered in tattoos, and he was the biggest sweetheart I'd ever met. He made me feel like I was loved more than any other woman in the history of man kind. So when he called me out of the blue while I was working to tell me that he wanted to break up and never wanted to see me again. I was devastated. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.15/16 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note To be frank, this is some of the most heartfelt writing to come out of The Beat Within in sometime. Definitely a moving issue. Thank you all for taking the time to participate in our writing workshops, or for some of you, we appreciate you taking the time to write us your letters and stories from the faraway institutions we have never set foot in, though our nationally distributed publication surely has found it's way to your cell, dorm and/or unit. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your stories, and a part of you with the whole Beat community. Your words are priceless! http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thr, 05 Apr 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.13/14 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Thr, 05 Apr 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.11/12 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Greetings Beat editorial note readers! Welcome to double issue, 17.11/12. There is so much to absorb in this week's issue, and there is so much to tell you in regards to what's going on with the program in general. We'll save our news for another time, given we have a treat for you... This week, our editorial note comes from one of our in-office interns, Autumn. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.09/10 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.07/08 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note This week we have a very special guest writing our Editorial Note, Darcy Durham who is visiting the San Francisco office from St. Louis, Missouri. Darcy hopes to begin Beat workshops in St. Louis so she came to check out how we run things! Please take a moment to read Darcy's words. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.05/06 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Welcome back Beat editorial note readers. We are thrilled to bring you our latest installment of writings that cover a huge chunk of California and beyond. Most of it comes out of the weekly workshops, for issue 17.05 and 17.06. In a few short moments, we'll fill you in on the topics/writing prompts that we discussed in those workshops. We also are really digging the latest batch of writings way in the back of this issue, or shall we say the real backbone of this publication, The BWO! This editor was left speechless by the great installment that is featured in this knock-out of an issue. We also encourage you to read Maria's courageous piece, "Twisted," truly cautionary and horrific. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST Our new redesign Archives page! Here you can download our publications in Portable Document Format (PDF) from as far back as 2008. Enjoy! http://www.beatwithin.org/archives Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Greetings Beat editorial note readers! We are thrilled to be back with a host of great writings from our many contributors who have showered this latest issue (17.03 and 17.04) with plenty of their truths, as they either take on one of our prompts from the writing workshops, or have come up with their own words and wisdom on their own subjects that they felt the need to share with The Beat readership. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 17.03/04 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST The first issue of the year! Volume 17.01/02 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Thr, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Welcome to the first issue of 2012. It is with great honor to given this platform to INga BUchbinder, who has played such an important role the last six months. We are thrilled about the new year and all the possibilities. With that said, we wish all you readers a wonderful new year, and here is The Beat's Program Director with the first editorial note of the New Year. Take it away Inga! http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thr, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Can you believe this friends? What you have in your hands is our year-end-double-issue, 16.49/50. We are thrilled to give you readers our 50th issue of this year, completing our 16th season of writing and art from inside juvenile hall and beyond! Who would have thought that we would have hit this magical number, especially this year, when back in March, there was uncertainty in what direction The Beat Within would go. Who would have thought we would rebirth the program and continue the good fight in giving a voice to our many, many contributors, who otherwise would not have such a forum to share and teach their truths with one another. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST Our last issue of the year! Volume 16.49/50 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Greetings Beat editorial note readers! This week we not only feature the stellar double issue (16.47/48) writings from our various workshops, and top notch BWO contributors from all over the USA, but we have new contributors, that will be introduced by our good friend and colleague Karen Hunt, who has so kindly agreed to write the editor's note. Without further ado... http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 16.47/48 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Given the excitement around The Beat Within being honored by the SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists), Northern California Chapter tonight, at an awards dinner in downtown San Francisco, we feel it is our obligation to fill you a bit more about the award, and of course give some thanks where the thanks are due!

On Tuesday, The Beat Within was honored with one of the SPJ's highest honors, "The Silver Heart" award, for giving voice to the voiceless. You could not ask for a more appropriate award.

 http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 16.45/46 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST Editor's Note Welcome to our TRIPLE issue of The Beat Within. As we are approaching the end of the year we needed to make sure all of your writing got into the last few issues we have left before the holi-daze takes us into the New Year. But before we get into all of the youth writing, we have Lisa Santoya as our editorial note writer this week. Lisa is a facilitator at our workshops in Bernalillo County, New Mexico where she also works as a Youth Program Transport Officer in the juvenile hall. Take it away, Lisa! http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:30:00 PST Our latest issue Volume 16.42/43/44 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST We now have a Press & Achievements Drop by to see what we have achieved! http://www.beatwithin.org/press.html Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:00:00 PST Donation page is live! Please feel free to support us anyway you can. From a box of pencil to a box of paper, anything helps! http://www.beatwithin.org/donation.html Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:00:00 PST PPOTR Dispatch #2: Interview with David Inocencio, Director of The Beat Within Thanks to our mutual friend, photographer Joe Rodriguez, I had the privilege to meet up with and be interviewed by Peter Brook, as part of his 12-week journalism road-trip through America. http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:00:00 PST We now have a blog page! Hey all you Beat enthusiasts! Welcome to The Beat Blog where we will regularly update with recent news about how we're doing, links we think you might want to check out and other information we think you should know! Check back regularly to see what's going on in The Beat office! http://www.beatwithin.org/blog.html Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:00:00 PST A site worth checking out Voices Behind Walls is a creative writing workshop that has taken place in juvenile detention centers in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico. The workshop consists of writing poetry and the study of literary authors/poets/artist, chess, music (specifically Hip Hop, Soul, Jazz and other genres), beat production, radio broadcasting, film and vocal/audio recording. http://www.voicesbehindwalls.org/ Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:00:00 PST Subscribe to our Newsletter Visit our site and enter your email in the subscription box and that's it! http://www.beatwithin.org Our new redesign website! Welcome to The Beat Within's new website! On our new site, you will still find our archives of The Beat publication in PDF format, including older and more recent issues. In addition, you can find information on how to volunteer with our organization, data about the youth we work with, and our weekly workshop topics.

Our site will be a continuous work in progress and we will be constantly updating and adding to it, so check back often!

Note: You may have noticed that you were redirected to this page from www.thebeatwithin.org. This is hopefully temporary while we are working with the new site, please bear with us.

 http://www.beatwithin.org Our latest issue Volume 16.40/41 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:00:00 PST Volume 16.38/39 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:00:00 PST Volume 16.36/37 Download the PDF here. http://www.beatwithin.org Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:00:00 PST