We are now taking submissions for volume two of "Our Voices". See below for submission guidelines

 K.Y.D.S published a collection of poems and personal essays written by young people ages 12-19.

The official release party was

Thursday, July 24, 2008.

"Our Voices"  has become an open mic series and workshop  Youth interested in the workshops and open mic should contact us via email.

(Tiera Wright, who is now a student at Bay Path College,was one of the contributors) 

The following was inspired by the JENA SIX and the “White” tree in Louisiana.

TRICK OR TREED:

A. Tree’s Perspective

Oak, maple, apple, and pear? We come in many shapes, sizes and types. For years, we've been abused, and yet we stayed silent. But no more!

My fellow peers and I have evolved much. It has always been said that silence speaks a thousand words, now the Trees do. We use to mark changes in seasons, now, we’ve been lessened to racial crimes. I’m sure everyone has seen the latest headlines, apparently we Trees HAVE RACES! So much so that violence ensued. Who knew racial crimes would involve a Tree?

Plus, what's the deal with all these horrible clichés and bad jokes? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree; used and abused, next! Make like a tree and leave (Drum roll anyone). I’m just so insulted. I don't get how we Trees became one big joke. I’m literally stumped. What happened to the times when we were treated like a work of beauty? Living in a peaceful state where

we were the apple of an artist or poet’s eye. What happened to the days when parents would hang up a swing for their children’s entertainment, instead of the hanging of nooses to degrade the races of others? What happened to the days when people could sit under my wing for shade? What happened to the days where I used to house birds, bees, Pooh and Tigger too? What happened to the days when people wanted to save the environment, themselves, and us? Now no one has respect for anyone, and what's sad is they don't even have any respect for themselves either.

I think we’ve been through enough; if it's not paper, it's racism. Why can’t we be left alone? There may be no “I” in TEAM, but there is a Tree in RESPECT.

Article by A. Tree

Submission Guidelines:

*All work must be original 

*Content cannot contain any explicit language

*You may submit as many pieces as you wish

*We accept poems and

 personal essays only

   *When emailing, include   your name, school, age and a couple of sentences about yourself for the bio section

*In the email subject line type: submission

mail to:

ourvoices@keepyouthdreamingandstriving.com

*Submission dates are September 1, 2009 to

June 30, 2010.

*You must between the ages of 11 and 19 to submit.

*You will be notified by email within thirty days if your work will be included.

Good Luck!

The book is available from this site, and can be purchased at on line bookstores.All proceeds from the book go right back to programming.

Click to buy or preview

Here's a sample of work  by Ricardo Navarro;

 I AM

I am Ricardo,

also known as Rico,

Puerto Rican, yes its true,

But never been to Puerto Rico.

I am talented, intelligent,

tall, dark,

Handsome and cool.

But been smoking’ weed,

skippin’ school,

Breakin’ laws, actin’ a fool.

I am now locked up,

17, almost, 18

There goes my Birthday,

New Years, Christmas,

Thanksgiving, and Halloween.

I AM going crazy,

hoping things

are good on the “Out”

Somehow I feel like my life

is going through a drought.

I AM still Ricardo,

also known as DJ RICO,

I will someday travel the world,

And even go to Puerto Rico.

I AM still talented, intelligent,

tall, dark, and handsome,

I don’t have a life goal yet,

but I will plan one.

I AM still locked up,

 and I am still 17,

But I will get,

 and have a Christmas,

a Birthday, and turn 18.

On the “Out” yes, on the “Out”,

It will not be on the “In”

I will get my life together,

That’s the game I want to win.

-Ricardo Navarro