Gather Together: A Journal of Student Writing

Literacy Partners

Gather Together: A Journal of Student Writing

!!Thanks to our students, staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and all who made this publication possible!

LP Staff !Anthony Tassi, Dina Alvarez, Fatima Ashraf, Anne Aston, Marco Castillo, Flor de Maria Eilets, Yevgeniya Gershkovich, Christine Gorbea, Sharon Griffiths, Christina Licata, Jason Poinson, Fernando Romero, Timothy Ruffin, Hawley Sealey, Katy Taylor, Lorna Torres, Silvana Vasconcelos, & Roy Villanueva !Volunteers Donicia Albert, Marie Angelico, Gange Balagangeyan, Dan Baumol, Rene Berrios, Jessica Cruz Mateo, Kim DeLorne, Nathanael Desulme, Frank Dorsi, Joan Downs, Dorothy Eng, Margaret Fogel, Diane Francis, Chaz Frazer, Valerie Grinman, Hortense Howell-Barber, Jill Jarnow, Hebe Joy, Pamela Kellner, Virginia Koenig, Vera Konig, Talia Krohn, George Lai, Andrew Lee, Dawn Lille, David Lohmier, Whitney MacLeod, Jonathan Merrill, Daniela Molina, Osasere Osayande, Lysna Paul, Rohannie Persaud, Lise Porter, Brian Potash, Peter Pugliese, Hanta Rafalimanana, Twila Rios, Susan Rowe, Debbie Rudin, Robin Rusch, Robert Schwartzman, Mike Silverman, Raushanah Simmons, Lucie Swinnerton, Christina Torossian, Peter Townsend, Amanda Walker, Weiben Wang, & Abiel Wilson !Board of Directors Mark H. Jackson, Board Chairman, Peter Brown, Alina Cho, Robin Domeniconi, Lee V. Eastman, David Eun, Jane Friedman, Katharine Raymond Hinton, John H. Josephson, Leslie R. Klotz, Parker B. Ladd, Todd Larsen, Sonia Reese, Arnold Scaasi, Kate Schroeder, Jeffrey Sharp, Mike Steib, Dr. Edwidge Jourdain Thomas, Mark Whitaker, Samantha Yanks !Liz Smith & Jacqueline Weld Drake, Honorary Chairpersons !Special thanks to: Simon & Schuster Robert Wynn, Photographer Joi Sears, Designer The Doe Fund

Literacy Partners www.literacypartners.org T: 212.725.9200

The Moment of Change Page 2 Lessons Learned Page 14 Unforgettable Experiences Page 20 Sources of Inspiration Page 26 The Power of Education Page 34 New Beginnings Page 40

Table of Contents

“The moment and the day when I decided to change my life was when I

decided to move to the United States.”

The Moment of Change

The day I decided to change my life, I was 17 years old. I decided to stop going to school. It was a bad decision, but I needed a job to support my family.

My mom was very sad because she always pushed me to go to school to get education, saying it is better, you will have more and better chances in life and have a bright future. At the same time, we needed money. My father passed away when I was 9 years old. My grandfather was helping us, but growing up we needed more support for school and food ‒ he couldn’t do all this for us.

I went to the city where my uncle was living and I took some courses to become a secretary. Then I was available to start working, because where I was living ‒ in a small town ‒ they didn’t let women go to work. But things changed in the city, and women were forced to cover their faces. I knew I could not do that, and that I might be killed if I didn’t. So I had to come back home; I didn’t even finish my course.

When I came home, I started to look for work without anyone knowing, only my Mom. I found a job as a secretary in a school. I told my Mom to talk to my grandfather ‒ I was worried that he might refuse to let me work, but he was happy. I was worried about how other people in the town would react when they saw me working, because now all the girls will ask for the same thing. Many of our family were upset; they didn’t talk to me and I was humiliated for a little while ‒ I went through a lot of changes.

When the family said since I was the oldest, I should stay home and take care of my brothers, my mother said OK, but we will need checks from all of you until my sons grow up to be men and go to work.

Everybody backed off and left us alone. I worked at the school at then at City Hall, and many of the neighbors came to me asking for help with their paperwork.

- By Samia Chennit

Gather Together | Page 2

My name is, Melchor Gonzalez, and I am from Cuba. The moment and the day when I decided to change my life was when I decided to move to the United States.

I decided to start a new life and this involved change. For me, it was a change in my culture, my Idioma, my education, my family, and my immediate future because I did not know anyone in the United States. Imagine being 18 years old, having two years of college and then deciding to move to another country and start over.

My decision to change my life was in fact done in part out of necessity and the wanting to start new. I was motivated to start my new life, and I knew that God was always on my side so there nothing to be afraid of.

Coming to the United States, I found friends from the beginning who were very supportive of me, protected me, and made me feel at home ‒ Thank God!! Another good thing about my new friends in the United States was that they did not know anything about my life in Cuba and did not care, and even to this day, they are still my friends.

“My good friend Victor Perez once told me about this program named Literacy Partners where I could go and start working on getting my GED.”

I now live in New York City, the upper West Side and I have a job, and a beautiful apartment. My best friend is my dog named “hanger.” I currently live the life that I always wanted to and I am trying to reach my goals. One of my goals is to obtain my GED.

My good friend Victor Perez once told me about this program named Literacy Partners where I could go and start working on getting my GED. He said that I could work on my writing, reading, vocabulary, and math at Literacy Partners, so I went there and signed up. Obtaining my goal of getting my GED would allow me the opportunity to go back to college and start a professional career. I know that it will not be easy, but I also know that I am going to get it done.

- By Melchor Gonzalez


The moment I decided to change my life was when I was seventeen years old. I always knew better but never did better; growing up, I always heard people say, “If you knew better, you’d do better.” So one day I decided to do just that.

I started to read a lot of self-help books, and prayed a little to my higher power, did some soul- searching and removed people and things out of my life that did not belong there.

The moment I decided to change my life is when I felt as if my life actually began. I started to live and see things in a new light; I started seeing the bigger picture, thinking outside the box, learning new things, and accepting change for the better.

- By Chivonne Venable

!I decided to change my life one day when I was standing in front of the mirror. I saw myself with a miserable face, and that moment I closed my eyes and asked myself how long did I think I could stay like this?

At the same time I saw my four children around me with books and pencils asking me to read the books and help them with their homework. Since that moment I promised myself I am going to look for education for myself and for my children.

After two weeks, I was enrolled in a literacy program, and I am still working to pursue my high school equivalency. I have already made positive changes ‒ I am learning English, I will start job training soon ‒ and I will keep making my life change for the better.

- By Maria E Guallpa de Mizhquiri


The day I decided to change my life was after losing my job at the Day Care Center in 2008. After repeatly looking for working and finding nothing not even in retail which was my last option, I decided to go back to school and get the GED.

I finished the program and went for the test passed everything except the math. At that time there I took the classes and completed the program. Also, they had a special tutoring session for those whom needed to pass a section like myself. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take advantage of that tutoring program because my unemployment benefits extension were about to run out and that’s when I had to put everything on hold to desperately go on job search again. Talking to one of my cousins she informed me that I was able to go for the Home Health Aide Training and once completed they also put you to work right away and did not need to have the GED that was music to my ears.

When I finally decided to go back to the program and pick up where I left off it was too late due to cutbacks that tutoring session didn’t exist anymore and that meant that if I stayed there I would’ve had to do the whole program again which didn’t apply to me. So I went to see the Counselor and she advised me that there were programs that offered just math. I went home and had my daughter look up some sights online after making a few phone calls. I narrowed it down to two programs and Literacy Partners was the one that got back to me first. They took my information and when time came I was reached by mail to come in for orientation and assessment afterwards. I was put on a waiting list for about six months but during that time I kept calling and calling until finally I was called in to start the classes. During orientation and when I first made the call I was told that I would have to also take Reading and I kept stressing that all I needed was the Math but when I began the classes and again brought in the scores of the GED Test taken, Kenneth said to just come in for math and I was given two math classes instead, then the pressure was on trying to take the test and pass before the new year. I went for the test in Sept 2013. Eventhough I didn’t feel ready for it. Of course I didn’t pass but went up from 370 to 380. I continued with classes and went again in December 2013 and I am happy to say that I passed, finally I did it atleast doors will start opening now I am able to go Certified Nursing Assistant Classes and I am also planning on going to college.

Thank you Literacy Partners, Kenneth Fobi, and Yinette Tejeda for being there when times got a little rough and for always believing in me. My tutors Peter, Kaithin, Bob, Andrew, and Brian and One on One Tutoring Sarada and Danisha. I dedicate my Diploma to my children Melissa, Joshua, and Bianca. My Family and Friends. Thank you all for your Support!

-By Madeline Garay


The only thing that I would change would be me. Even though they say that it is hard to change something, I would start with me. I believe that when you begin to change yourself, people will notice and be inspired by you. Change could begin by doing an activity differently, or just by thinking and reacting differently. Changing the way that I do things could be a small step or maybe a big step. Either way, small steps can guide you to make big changes in your life.

-By Martin Balbuena

!If I could change only one thing in this world it would be my own life. I would change my life by going back to school. When I was younger, I would ask questions in class, study hard and do my homework all the time.

The one thing I want most in this life is to make my mother proud, and getting my degree would make her proud. I want to be educated badly because I think being educated is everything in this life. Being educated is my goal in life.

My mother has done everything she could to make her children into somebody in life but I have failed her big time. I hate that I did that to her, and I am determined to get my degree as a result.

Another thing that I would want to do in my life is to go back in time, and undo the worry I caused my mother. Oh, how I wished that I could just change this one thing; however, I’m not giving up. That’s why I’m coming to the Literacy Partner’s program to get my GED.

-By Marwlee Dennis

!I was married at a young age. It was an experience with too much responsibility. I had to get a job to support my family. I experienced a loss of independence. I lost interest in completing my education. My past marriage experience taught me to appreciate my independence. I date women that are not interested in marriage. I value my education more now than ever. I pursue my goals with tenacity.

-By Ruben Cabot

!


If I could change one thing in this world, it would be fear. If we all possessed the power to remove fear from the equation of our lives, what a wonderful world it would be.

Fear of losing the things we have.Fear of words ‒ the Common Core ‒ the unknown?Fear of the TASC, but we want to pass.The fear of challenging our fears.Fear of trying to introspect ‒ because of negative or positive effect. Fear of not being in control of your life situation.Fear of action and reaction, cause and effect.Fear of our nature ‒ what we have nurtured in ourselves.

Aggression, depression ‒ oh, how I wish I could change fear, Negative, by crossing the equal sign ‒ making it only Positive in our lives.

-By Erwin Thomas

If a person is meant to be in your world then that is good. I think people need to support each other in a relationship. This world is too big for people not to at least know one another, and help the next person. If, I am having a problem with school or learning then the other person should be supportive. I am looking for that supportive person because I have been in relationships where we did not support each other, and as a result we are not together today.

!“I believe there is no reason to cheat.”

I believe that there is no reason to cheat; no reason for liars to lie or cheaters to cheat. I guess what I’m trying to say is that, “if people are supportive of each other in a relationship, then the others things won’t matter.” I am still looking for that supportive person in my life, and just like I am continuing to work on my GED, I will work on trying to find that supportive partner.

-By Darin Ricks

If I could change one thing on this planet, I would change peoples’ minds. The way we humans think causes unnecessary fighting, killing, bloody wars, and nonsense. People are wasting life and money, and are damaging the beautiful world. Some things have lost their meaning because people misuse them. A knife’s meaning is to cut your food, not a human’s body. Long ago there was no fear from anyone but wild animals. Now I wonder what could get done if people think twice.

In my change, there will be no borders. I will create one big world that each of us could enjoy. People would live in any country or city of their choice with no restriction or passport. Each person would have the same thoughts about sharing and caring for one another. This will create a sweet earth for everyone to benefit from. So that will be my change.

I always wonder why inventors don’t try to create a machine that changes humans’ minds. They already created more than enough technology, both useful and useless. They should think straight and create a crime-free planet with no boundaries or separation.

-By Asmeret Sertsei


If I could change the world....I would remove these ridiculous wars, and focus more on space exploration.

We are the only planet we know of that has life in it...and we kill each other for oil....and other material things. We should use all our money and resources to try and find or extend life...instead of ending it with wars. Perhaps can we find life in space or develop a new technology here on Earth.

For instance, trying to find life in space would not be hard; however, our search for life on other planets is shortened by wars. Billions of tax dollars could be used to build a rocket to take people to the other side of the world because, I believe that there are so many cultures or races we have yet to discover.

Imagine if we found another earth the size of a quarter and place it in the center of Central Park and used that earth to study and find new technologies. Imagine the scientific potential of having another planet in the middle of Times Square.

-By Robert Sanchez

If there is one thing is this world that I can change, it is to bring peace. Peace is a beautiful thing in life that I can share with others. It also involves freedom, unity, and love, which can bring people together as a social movement, so we can make the world a better place.

Everybody and everything deserves peace in their lives and hearts. We can show peace with a hug and/or a dance, even contributions, music, and faith, including blessings. People of all colors and ages, especially nationalities, must stand up for what is right, with an act of kindness, justice, and protection that can’t be negative or close-minded. That would be bad for our health, heart, mind, and soul.

Peace takes me back with the Black-Eyed Peas’ song “One Tribe.” It is a song of peace for all races, ages, shapes, forms, and nationalities. I treasure and respect peace; it is a blissful, beautiful moment of life and fantasy. I admire the social movement group The Free Hug Campaign. It is a group that shows an act of kindness to random good and positive people with a hug and/or a contribution of high-fives and fist-bumps, even handshakes.

-By Ezekiel Witherspoon III


There is one thing in the world that I want to change. I would like to change the ingredients of soda drinks like Pepsi. Since the beginning of 2014, there were rumors spreading that a dangerous chemical in the caramel coloring in the drinks could lead to cancer. The high level chemical is called 4-methylimidazole, often called 4-MEL. That rumor was proved right by the news. The consumer review of various beverages in the United States measured the amounts of 4-MEL found in them. Pepsi One and Malta Goya contained 29 micrograms per bottle or can, which was more than the amount allowed for food without a warning label.

Drinking no Pepsi for a long time can be depressing. I have not had Pepsi for three months. But I don’t want to end up with cancer. I want to change the fate of Pepsi by making a petition to remove the 4-MEL. I can post it on the internet for users to sign and post comments. If it gets a lot of responses, I can deliver it to the CEO of Pepsi. There is no way consumers should buy dangerous products without a warning label.

-By Torian Brown

I think that we need to change the transportation system especially the cost. I do not have a lot of money and everywhere you go, you need money to get on the train. If I need to go to my program at Brooklyn Community Services, I need to pay. If I need to go to the doctor, I need to pay. If I need to come to Literacy Partners, I need to pay. I have a mother, a sister, and a brother in Haiti that I have not seen in many years because I do not have the money to pay for transportation. I do not have money to keep paying for transportation, so I come to this program to learn to read and write with the hope of obtaining my GED and getting a job.

Again, if there was one thing that I wish that I could change, it would be the cost of transportation because it takes money to get around the city and unfortunately without a job, I have to rely on my program to give me transportation. I want to see my family in Haiti, but without transportation money, it may only be a dream.

-By Fritz Salomon

“If I had power I would change the foreign policies of all countries. I would make them not waste money for wars and bloodshed. It would be better if we use all that money and power to fight hunger and cure bad diseases. Then there will be less anger and hate in this world.”

-By Vitali Sokorov


“It’s all up to you, you hold your destiny in the palm of your hand. Only you have control of your life.

No one can stop you but you.”

Sharing this with you should be very entertaining and a unique experience, and keep in mind that it’s a story of my own experience, so read on if you like...

The moment that changed my life for the better was on a very cold sunny Saturday afternoon. I went downtown to get a comic book signed by Mick Foley, a former professional wrestler turned writer of said comic. Got myself to the location (a comic book store called Midtown Comics) on Gold Street in the financial district at about noon. As soon as I arrived at the location, I saw a huge line in front of the store.

Eventually, people who were on the line were pulled into the store a few at a time. I had some good times almost shaking myself to death to keep warm; and also having some conversation with people on line ‒ talking about the latest movie news, comic book continuity issues, and other stuff that came to mind at the time.

At the three-and-a-half-hour mark, I was reaching frostbite status ‒ jumping up and down, until I eventually made it to the store and finally met the man. He was wearing a Santa Claus suit. You heard me, a Santa Claus suit. Not the traditional Santa that we all know, but the Santa that, depending on where you are in the world, is the image of Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas. I had a brief moment talking to him about his career and how he was doing. He also felt sorry for keeping us out in the cold weather too long. He signed two books, one for me and one for my nephew.

It was the best day of my life, despite the weather almost killing me. I did this for my nephew, and his happiness is all I care about. When Christmas came, he said it was the best Christmas gift he’d ever had.

Glad I made him happy.

The moral of this story is that it made me believe I can withstand anything to achieve anything I want. If I could stand in the cold snowy weather for three and a half hours to wait for someone to sign his name on a comic book, I can withstand just about anything to get where I have to go to get what needs to be done.

- By Pablo Martinez

Lessons Learned


When I was a child, I was introduced to volleyball through my little big brother. I called him that because he is much older than I am, but he is short. When we were kids, I would watch him and his friends play in my mother’s back yard. I would just look through the window and watch. I would ask my mom, “Mom, can I go play with them?” And she would always say, “No, you’re not a boy. They play too rough for you.” And I would just suck my teeth. . .

However, when I got a little older, I joined the volleyball team at school. And when I came home banged up a few times; of course, I lied and said that, “I had been in a fight” so my mom wouldn’t get mad. Eventually, she found out but when she saw that I was really passionate about volleyball she allowed me to play. Also, about two months later my little big brother gave me my first volleyball. It glowed in the dark. I was very happy.

I played with my volleyball for hours and hours. That volleyball became the outlet for some of my frustrations. For example, when I was mad, I would take it out on the volleyball and eventually it deflated. Of course, I saved my allowance to get the same kind of volleyball again and my little big brother and I played for hours and hours on the weekends. He is currently living in Charlotte, NC and I miss him so much, but most importantly, I miss that VOLLEYBALL!!

-By Christina Gadsden

Cuando yo tenía 13 años mis papas me mandarin a estudiar a otra ciudad. Yo vivía en un pueblo pequeño, si había una escuela secundaria en el pueblo, pero mis papas creían que si yo me iba a estudiar a una ciudad más grande podia yo tener mejores oportunidades.

Yo creo que ellos no se equivocaron, porque gracias a eso empecé a tener experiencias en la vida, conocí a diferente tipo de personas, aprendí a ser una persona responsible en la vida, pero los más importante es que aprendí que tan importante son los studios para todos los niños, en especial para mis hijos.

Gracias a todas estas expereincias a tan temprana edad, cuando yo vine a este país estaba yo muy clara en que mi hijo tenía que aprovechar la opotunidad que este país le estaba dando; de estudiar, de salvar sus raíces que son el español y de ser buen ciudadano. Gracias a esto desde mi primer hioj siempre supe cómo ayudarlo en los studios aunque no sabía yo el idioma ingles yo tenía idea de cómo hacer una tarea, y tenía idea de cóomo usar un diccionario, que aunque parece muy simple, fue un aliado en mi meta de ayudar a mi primer hijo en la escuela.

When I was 13 years old, my parents sent me to study in another city. I was living in a small town in the countryside. Yes, there was a junior High School there, but my parents thought that I could have better opportunities in a big city.

I think that they weren’t mistaken. Thanks to that, I started to have new experiences in life, I met different people and, what is most important it marked my life. When I was on my own, I learned how to be responsible and how important it is to study.

Thanks to all of that, when I came to this country I knew how important education is for my children. In spite of my limited English, I was able to help my children with their studies. In my opinion, I think that a person with a little more education thinks differently than a person who never went to school. In my little town in the countryside that was my father’s philosophy and I think he wasn’t wrong.

-By Guillermina De Jesus

“Cuando yo vine a este país estaba yo muy clara en que mi hijo tenía que aprovechar la opotunidad que este país le estaba dando; de estudiar, de salvar sus raíces que son el español y de ser buen ciudadano.”


I have a family now so what am I going to do?It’s not about me anymore. I need more money. I need more benefits. Why did I have to wait so long to realize that it’s not about me.I wish I would have stayed in school.

They said to trust in God. God knows, I’ve been struggling hard. They said, “Ask God and you shall receive.”I said, “Please shine some light on me and my loved ones.”

Sometime I felt like giving up messing with those dead end jobs.Sometimes I felt like a hamster on the wheel going around and around getting no where.

Those dead end jobs turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I was blessed and didn’t even know it.

Those dead end jobs put food on the table, paid the rent, kept the lights on, and put clothes on our backs provided a safe and stable home for many years.

Those dead end jobs allowed me to put two kids through college. One is New York’s finest and the other is a school teacher.

So, were they really dead end jobs or a blessing in disguise?

-By Bennie Walker

One experience I can share is when I was about 18 years old. I was in a relationship with this guy. I believed he was going to be the perfect guy for me. He always made me believe that I was the one for him. He was always a gentlemen and never gave me a reason to believe anything was wrong in our relationship.

One day we had company over at the house and he started acting different. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. When everyone had left the house, we went upstairs to the room and started talking. All of a sudden he started arguing with me. I told him I couldn’t take it anymore, and that I was moving out. Before I can say anything else he said that he was going to tell me to move out. I said “Ok I can move out. No problem.” But something didn’t feel right, my gut was telling me that there was more to this story than what he was telling me. That same night when he went to take a shower I started packing my things. His phone rang. I picked up and said “hello”. A girl responded and I asked her who she was. She said “I’m his girlfriend.” Shocked I said “Wait a minute, I’m his girlfriend.” She then told me that he was going to pick her up today. I didn’t believe her. She said, “Well if you don’t believe me then stay there tonight and you will see that I’m not lying.”

The next day when I came to the house to get the rest of my things we confronted each other. We got into a heated argument that elevated into a physical altercation and he punched me in the face and started pounding me in the head. All I could do was grab the gold chains that he was wearing which got him even madder. He kept pounding me on my head. He was 220lbs and I was 86lbs. All I remember after that was waking up in the hospital with a lot of doctors around me. They did an MRI of my head and said I had a black spot near my brain so they had to do a spinal tap on my spine to take liquid from my brain to see what was going on. I consented to the very painful procedure. I was in a wheelchair because I could hardly walk. After all the medical test were done the doctors came in my room to tell me that in the future I will have vertigo and meniere’s disease in my eyes which I now have.

I learned so much from this experience like to never let anyone get the best of me. I have learned not to let anyone or anything stand in my way and to always remember that I am an important person and that no one deserves to go through that. It’s all up to you, you hold your destiny in the palm of your hand. Only you have control of your life. No one can stop you but you. I am proud to say that I am able to be a role model for people who have gone through what I have and make them realize that in life you can succeed no matter what. You just have to realize that the sky’s the limit.

-By Cecilia Arroyo


It was very important for my family to be together every Christmas when I was a child. I remember Christmas with my siblings and my parents. I remember Christmas at my parents’ being always very beautiful! It was so because we had a tradition of decorating our Christmas tree with many colored spheres, glitter, lights of different colors and place the star of Bethlehem at the top of the tree. The star was the most beautiful because it symbolized the visit of Baby Jesus and the Three Wise Kings to my home. They would bring us all gifts. While we decorated the tree, my mother made piñatas and organized the manger. My father and our neighbors were responsible to set up the manger.

Now, I live in New York with my children and husband and teach the Mexican traditions like this one to my children in the same way that my parents taught me.

-By Meli Campos

!In my childhood my favorite place was my grandfather Rafael’s house. This is because he always held family reunions in his house. He used to prepare his special pork recipe for these reunions. Those days were unforgettable because that is when my whole family got together. While the adults were preparing food we, the children, played different games like soccer, tag, and hide and seek. The reunions were always special moments for me!

-By Maria Reyes

!My story is about when I went to Kindergarten. I remember that I liked to learn what the teachers taught me. I liked to trace letters, coloring, and drawing. I paid attention to what they taught me. I also remember my mother helping me with homework. I remember her sitting down with me so she could explain what I had to do. I felt so happy! My mom explained to me. I was a very intelligent girl. I learned fast. I learned to read when I was 5 years old. I liked books a lot. When I learned to read I felt so happy because I could then read my favorite books. In part, I give thanks to my mom. She always read to me stories that she knew and stories that she made up. I still remember a story she told me. It was about a little rabbit that always found coins. I told this story to my children. I agree with my English teacher who says that we should tell our children the stories we were told when we were little. Those stories represent our roots, our culture and where we come from. We should be proud of our roots. Our children should know and be proud of our roots.

-By Martha Galvez

Unforgettable Experiences


In the village of Nepal, where I grew up in the 1960s, we didn’t have doctors or medicine. We just waited for a miracle or a witch doctor.

I was about 9 years old when my mother got sick for a year. She lost her hair and weight. I remember it was the summertime because my father had to work in the farm every day, so I stayed with my mother.

I don’t know what kind of sickness it was. Sometime she would get up from her bed and wander away. One day she went to our neighbor’s house, when they were not home. When the neighbor got home my mother was sitting in the dark, and the neighbor lady got scared, but she knew my mother was sick so she brought her home to us.

Another day as usual I was with my mother, I was washing the dishes, and my mother was sitting on her bed. One of the dishes I broke was my father’s favorite. I knew my father would be mad at me, so I went to my mother and I told her what happened. My mother got up from her bed and she looked at me with a grin on her face and didn’t say any word, but I was scared. Any way I continued what I was doing. When I went to the kitchen she was cooking. I thought she was feeling well but she was feeling worst. She cooked 3 pots of different rice, one was over cooked, one was cooked just right and one was half cooked. Not only that she served 5 plates of rice and 5 drinks, and she said, “lunch is served” but there was nobody. When I saw that I was very sad and scared. When my father came to the home, he saw all of the food and drinks lined up, he looked scared too. So to my father despaired, he asked his older brother to find a witch doctor. I remember late evening my uncle came with witch doctors. The witch doctors sat there and mumbled and jumbled over a few hours then he said “she will die soon”. My uncle got so angry he picked him up and threw him out the door.

I remember around September, my mother was getting better and better. Her hair started to grow and she put on some weight. When she was completely well we asked her if she remembered what happened, but she said, “No”. She told us that she used to dream every night that she carried a large load of something on her back and brought it to a white bearded man. Then one day he said, “You don’t need to come anymore.” Since that time my mother said, “She started to feel better.”

It may be a miracle but my mother hasn’t gotten sick since, and she lived for a long time.

-By Gita Rai


“I will always remember the morning I woke up and my mother told me she was blind. It was horrible. It was due to her diabetes. I had to leave High School in my senior year to take care of her. I wish I could have finished my education. That is why I will never forget that day.”

-By Rafael Caban

!One memory that comes to my mind is when I was between 5 to 7 years old. My sisters, Catalina and Yazmin and my grandmother used to play supermarket or brand name stores. I was always the rich lady buying all the expensive items and giving them very generous tips. I always had a handbag with me full of pieces of paper that was my fake money. Our living room turned into a big mall using our table as a counter. Everything at home had tags with prices and set by size or by sections. We had areas like the kitchen, and items like polish, cosmetics, electronics, etc. We used to make believe that we were selling or buying very expensive items.

After I finished shopping and bought gifts for the entire family, I always traveled to the next shopping destination in my private jet with two security guards (imaginary). I was always the first one to shop. My sisters would shop after me. They were also rich but not richer than I was.

-By Miriam Vargas

!Uno de mis mejores recuerdos de mi infacia, es haber estado en mi pais y haber vivido esa etapa de mi vida al lado de toda mi familia. Ser libre de algun modo por que aya en México se vive mas divertido esa epoca de la vida, recuerdo cuando tenia 10 años de edad yo jugaba beisbol con mis tios y mis primas lo jugabamos a nuestro modo pero era muy bonito era uno de mi juegos faboritos, y lo mas lindo de todo es que nos uniamos a un que sea para jugar.

One of my best childhood memories is being in my country. I lived that stage of my life with my family. It seems that life in Mexico for children is freer and more fun than life here. I remember playing baseball with my uncles and cousins when I was 10 years old. We used to play it in our own way, but it was really nice. It was one of my favorite games. The best thing for me was the fact that we were all together.

-By Silvia Flores


The experience that I would never forget occurred on October 13th, 1993. This was the day that I had found I was pregnant for the first time. It was shocking to me because it was not planned. However, it was also a beautiful, happy experience. The reason it was a shock for me was due to the fact I was only eighteen years old, and was still living with my parents. I was worried about what everyone was going to say because my boyfriend was much older than me; even though, he was in my life for a year before I became pregnant.

I knew he would have been a great father because he had other children. Also, I saw how he treated his children, and the way he provided for all of them. I knew if I had my child, he was also going to be there just like he was there for his other children. I knew I was not going to be a young single parent. So we both decided to keep the pregnancy. When I made my first pre-natal appointment, I loved that he attended with me. After the first appointment, he made sure he attended every appointment with me except for one, due to his work. He was upset because it was during my fourth month and this appointment was my first sonogram. When I saw my baby on the sonogram screen that was the most beautiful experience I had ever seen.

My doctor started my sonogram by asking me if I wanted to know the sex. I replied, “Yes!” However, for some reason my baby had her legs crossed; and even though, the doctor pressed a little harder on my stomach to see if the baby would move her legs apart, she kept them legs crossed. The doctor then told me the baby wanted to be a surprise for us. So, when it was time to take sonogram pictures of the baby, she started moving her arms. The doctor, my sister and I were shocked. When the sonogram was over, the doctor gave me an appointment, and scheduled me for Lamaze class.

However, on April 11th, 1994 two days before my sixth trimester at about 6:00 am, I woke up due to stomach cramps. Not knowing what was going on, I thought I had to use the restroom, and eventually, my grandmother woke up my husband because I had been going to the restroom so many times with stomach cramps. My husband immediately took me to the hospital.

At the hospital they rushed me up to the delivery floor to find out what was wrong. The doctor told me that I was ready to have the baby. There was nothing they could do except have me deliver the baby right then. I was so scared because I knew the baby was still too small to be born (6 months), and I knew there was lots of risk for babies born premature. The doctors rushed me into the delivery room. They told me to push and I delivered a tiny beautiful daughter, who weighted one pound fourteen ounces. She was thirteen inches long and not fully developed.


(cont’d)

After the delivery, all we got was a minute to see her. She had been placed in a gel bag with a breathing tube because her lungs were not developed. The reason for the gel bag was to make her feel like she was still in my womb. Also, she was placed in an incubator.

Later we were told that she had a fifty-fifty chance in surviving. We prayed but also knew she was going to survive because she was so spunky. On June 28, 1994, Shannon T. Martinez was released from the hospital. She had no problems and you would never have thought that she was a premature baby. In addition, I am happy to say that she is twenty years old now and attending college.

-By Christina Cintron

“Your smile gives me joy, from all the precious memories that we continue to build on, I love you and I treasure you. You are what keeps me going strong.”

Sources of Inspiration

Mom

From her eyes to mine,From her joy, my joys and dreamsFrom her grace, my strength and my peace

My dearest friend;Your wisdom keeps me grounded,Your smile gives me joy,From all the precious memories that we continue to build on, I love you and I treasure you,You are what keeps me going strong.

Remembering;You, being youngYour red curly hair glowing in the sun, Your hands like flower petalsand how your smile made your eyes shine and still does.

Some day, I hope soon, I want to have a daughter just like you

She will be just like Spring;Just like you,She will interlace with the earth,She will float with the essence of lifeShe too will be made of galaxies and stars

She, Golden She, Radiant

She;will be my love and I will love herJust like you love me and so much more.

Just like you and I

From Jeannette Kirsch to Sivan Carachi


My mother didn’t know how to read or write. She didn’t have the opportunity to go to school. My grandparents didn’t have enough resources. Sometimes she would observe the words in a book and say out-loud, “If only I knew how to read. I want to know what these words say.”

One day my mom started to go to school as an adult. My dad was not happy with her decision. According to him it was too late. But my mom was determined to keep going to school. Nothing was going to stop my mom from reaching her goal. She wanted to learn to read and write. She kept going to school and working hard until she achieved her goal.

My Father taught me that it is very important to study. You can learn many things. It is very important for our future to learn to read, write and draw.

-By Guadalupe Herrera

!My name is Gloria Cortes. A very important and motivating person in my life is my godmother. When I graduated from elementary school, I was happy because my godmother gave a gift and special flowers. A photographer took a picture of me with my parents and my godmother. I love my parents and my godmother.

-By Gloria Cortes

!“Thank you Mom for teaching me it’s never too late to reach our dreams.”

One day I called Mexico and received the greatest news ever. I still remember my mom being so joyful and happy as well as estatic. She told me: “Lupita, I know how to read and write.” It was the best gift my mom could have ever given me. Now, she could read any book she wanted. And, the most important she was happy and proud. That made all the difference. Thank you Mom for teaching me it’s never too late to reach our dreams.

-By Guadalupe Ambroiso


Psalm 23:

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

!This my favorite Psalm, because during my time of sickness he has comforted me.

Vs: 1 Is my favorite because he takes care of me when I am most desperate.

Vs: 2 Means he refreshes me, as a sheep refreshes in cool water.

Vs: 3 when my soul feels down because of sin he lifts me up.

Vs: 4 No matter what I go through in my life I know that he is with me, he holds me tight regardless of my problems.

Vs: 5 No matter what they do to me, you always manage to shine through me, showing those around me how great you are. Jesus anoints my head with oil to heal my spirit and bring peace to my soul, even among those who do not like me.

Vs: 6 The love and goodness of Jesus will always be in with me. In his presence, I always will be.

-By Carlos Caban


My story tells of a failed brotherly love. There comes a time when one realizes a failed path, when entering a path of success with a proper motive on how it can be fixed.

I have a younger brother who I believe I failed by not being there for him as an older brother. Even though I learned that, while, it may have been my failure, it became his strength and in the end my success.

Since my little brother was born, I always cared for and kept him safe during his baby years. Then as a result of issues with my family, I left home at a young age. It was very disheartening for me not to have been there for my little brother as he grew older because I feared that he would think that I abandoned him.

In later years, we reconnected. Although he’s a bit young, he is old enough to calculate his own ideas and assumptions. We never speak of the past, but I do try to take him out more to places, to get him holiday gifts, and to be around more often. More importantly, I try to ask him questions about himself such as what he likes and dislikes.

I was grateful he warmed up and started to look up to me as a brother again. One of the things I realized he learned while I was gone was how not to rely on other family members. Also, that as individuals, we all have a different view of a story.

I think with the understanding of certain things in life, he has an understanding of how I view things as well; since I had no older brother when I was his age. I feel I might have given him the strength to strive for the best, alone and to triumph over challenges in school.

I believe I might have created a road no one knew would exist. With my failure as a brother, I gave my younger brother strength, and with that strength he granted me success -- I taught him how I grew up. I am truly happy and grateful to have him in my life.

-By Raymond Mercado


Someone that makes me get up in the morning is the love of my life ‒ Rachel Tulsie. She is six years old ‒ my youngest child. I love her so much. I do anything for her. Rachel is a first-grader. She goes to a Catholic school, and they do not provide free meals. Rachel has to be in school by 8am, and I am not willing to pay for meals, so in order for her to get to school on time, I have to wake up at least two hours earlier to prepare her meals ‒ I want her to eat as healthy as she can.

I wake her up by telling her “Mommy loves you.” I kiss her and play around with her a little. By then, she is fully awake. I get her to eat her breakfast, then I wash her up and get her dressed for school. Rachel is my priority, so I must wake in the morning for her future.

-By Anna Sookhdeo

My name is Romeo. I was born and raised on a beautiful Island called Jamaica. As a youth I was thinking of making it in life that I could help my family, because if I make it we all make it in life.

But first I was thinking of a way to leave Jamaica but I don’t know how until I heard that my father want me to come on live with him in the U.S. So I said yes. What a opportunity, so I jump at it right away.

So after arriving in the U.S. I knew this is a opportunity to be somebody in life. So I started to think bigger and bigger like getting a job and making some money. But one thing still on my mind is to go back to school. So I spoke to a friend and she tell me about Literacy Partners so I make the phone call and they invited me in and the rest is history. So I’ll be on my way to achieve my goal.

-By Romeo Bartley

!“Someone that makes me get up in the morning is the love of my life.”


I was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., born October 6, 1959. I have 6 brothers and 1 sister who is the youngest and she is still spoiled. My mother stayed home to take care of us while my father went out to work hard to put food on the table.

Something that makes me get up in the morning is that my daughters inspire me to get out and work so they may have a better life than I had, and that they don’t have to work hard for a little bit of money that won’t even pay the rent at the end of the month. So please don’t make the same mistakes I made. Stay in school so you don’t have to come back as a grown man. However, if you have the chance to return to school you should jump on it so that you can learn to read and write. It was very difficult to start school again, but I’m glad that I did.

-By Victor Bazemore

!“My Daughters inspire me to get out and work so they may have a better life than I had...”

What gets me up in the morning is the belief that I can overcome some of the challenges in my life. For instance, what I like to do when I am stressed is go for really long walks. For me the walks open my mind to the possibilities and take away a lot of the stresses that I maybe going through at the moment. The fresh air and sights also helps me to focus my mind on the things that are important in my life, and not the stressors.

In addition, the long walks are great for exercise, sightseeing, and observing nature things that I enjoy. I try to get as much walking in a possible even when I am not stressed; but when I am stressed this is the one activity which seems to make me overcome the challenges in my life.

-By Grace Kennedy

Spiritual guidance. God makes me rise to sweet gospel preludes of heavenly music. WAKE UP! Feet on the floor. I stand and give praises to a beautiful wake-up call.

The gospel selection plays on WBLS, with Pastor Hesikiah Walker from 5 to 6am. “Sweet Jesus”, “Let the Church Say Amen”, “Take Me to the King” ‒ these are some of the songs that help me be more determined and confident to accomplish my goals in life...

Then at 6am, Steve Harvey gives his words of encouragement to help guide you to think: “Why? You’re among the living. There must be a god somewhere.” So the advice is given to the one who needs the awareness of keeping his/her spirit happy.

So listen to the sweet preludes at 5 and 6m ‒ it will make you stronger. So, WAKE UP! Send praises up and the blessings will come down to make the spirit awaken.

-By Charlene Harper


“I love all my teachers and tutors who have helped me with my education, and it’s because of them that I keep trying.”

I, Eric Young, have come a long way from when I was a kid. I always believed in myself and put the hard work in with the hope that it would pay off. I stayed motivated by keeping friends, family members and teachers who were positive; and most importantly, those people who said, “Eric, you can do it.”

It may take me some time to get there, but I truly believe that everything will come together not by saying, “it is hard” rather by putting in the work. I always remember to say to myself, “I can do it, just stay on track.”

I think I am trying to live my life to the fullest, so I do not care what people say about me. For example, a lot of people around me always say, “Eric is taking a long time to get his GED or TASC,” however, I cannot let these people side track me because everyone learns differently, and it may take me a little longer to get it but I know I will get it.

Everything will come together!! Everything will come together!! and I believe that if I keep trying and never say that I cannot do something or let people fool me in thinking that I will never get my degree because it is taking me so long, then Everything will come together!!

-By Eric Young

Education has changed my life in such a positive way that it is such a delightful feeling. Two years ago I was introduced to a world-famous book (A Tale of Two Cities), but in my eyes it was very unknown.

In my classroom, we started reading the book and, for some reason, I could not understand what I was reading. It just did not make any sense to me. The teacher noticed that a lot of students were disinterested and decided to act out one of the scenes of the story. In that moment, I saw what they were introducing to my eyes and was able to picture the story right away. This moment has changed the way I look at and process reading books and the news.

-By Gaudy Gonzalez

The Power of Education


High school was a hard time for me. I’ve been always told that I will never succeed in school or that I’m going to fail. I had a huge struggle with math for a very long time. I lived in a home environment for a while where my parents would often tell me that I’m not smart, and that I’m really dumb.

When I was in school, my math teacher asked me to solve a problem on the board, but I didn’t understand how to do the math problem, so she embarrassed me in front of the whole class and said, “Iris, this math problem is not that hard. Why is it so hard for you to understand such a simple problem?” Then, she said, “What do you have, a learning problem? I mean, you are in special Ed, so it should be easier for you to learn stuff like this.” To put it simply, she called me stupid, embarrassing me in front of the entire class.

From that moment on, I decided that I’m never going to let anyone call me stupid again. I’m going to prove her wrong, and show her that she is wrong, and I can learn math just like everybody else. I started making flashcards, taking notes in class, and really paying attention. I also stopped skipping class and started taking my classes more seriously.

I believe that no goal is too big, no dream is too impossible, and that you can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it, and if you are willing to work hard. I believe that failure is a part of success, and that there is no goal you can set for yourself that can’t be achieved.

-By Iris Yip

!When I was in school many years ago, it was a big thing for me because I liked participating in class activities and being with my friends. I made sure I was ready for school the next day. However, things changed quickly when my mother started to keep me home to help around the house, and to look after my brothers and sisters. You see my mother had thirteen children but two died. I was the third oldest, and my older sister and brother were out, so my younger siblings and I was left to do housework. I missed many days in school. Finally, I dropped out of school for good. Through the years, I tried to get a GED but I got married had my own children and they became my priority. I raised my children and made sure they finished high school. They all moved out of the house except for one. She is taking her time. However, I never gave up on getting my GED. When I found Literacy Partners, I was so happy because I had another chance to get my education. There is nothing standing in my way now, no children, no husband, nothing. I have no excuse. Besides, I like coming to school every day.

-By Tammy Buckins


My name is Mwimba Nelson and I would like to tell you about my life.

I was in the Columbia University GED program at Community Impact for more than two years. The teachers, who taught us, were Columbia University students, and they were volunteering. When I started the program, they focused on math, and I was good at it. Eventually, they taught us reading, writing, social studies, science and math, and this was the schedule everyday Monday through Thursday evening.

One semester they sent me to the GED Exam, and I did it for first time. I passed only math and the rest of the subjects English, writing, social studies, and science I didn’t do well. I took the exam for a second time and again I only passed math. I was struggling with English so much. One day my guidance councilor called me to the office and asked me if I want to begin going to an English class and I said yes. I began searching for one and then my friend found Literacy Partners on Wall Street and that is why I’m here today. I plan to pass the reading, writing, science, and social studies part of the GED.

“I have improved my knowledge of English, Reading and Writing. At Literacy Partners, the teachers are very concerned about us.”

Since I have been attending Literacy Partners, I have improved my knowledge of English, Reading and Writing. At Literacy Partners, the teachers are very concerned about us. They do their best to teach us and help us when we need assistance.

I want to obtain my GED, and then go to college. My major will be nursing, so I can work with sick people and help them. I want to make my family proud.

I love all my teachers and tutors who have helped me with my education, and it’s because of them that I keep trying.

-By Mwimba Nelson


I have accomplished my GED because of my dedication and steadfastness to study. When I was home, instead of watching TV or having friends over or anything unrelated to getting my GED, I would just study. My favorite pastime on any lengthy appointment was having my books so that I could study. You see, I needed my high school diploma forty years ago, so I had no more time to waste.

In 2009, when I enrolled and took the TABE tests, I was reading at a second grade level and math was at a grade five level. However, I expected that because I dropped out of school at grade five ‒ forty-six years ago in Jamaica ‒ and I knew that if I wanted to achieve my GED, I had to study twice or three times as much.

I took the exam in October, 2013, and I passed; I received my “high school equivalency diploma” on December 27, 2013.

On December 17th, when my teacher checked the computer and said, “Beverly, look - you passed!” my feet fell out from under me. I grabbed my teacher’s feet where she was sitting and I cried with surprise and joy of how God carried me to be able to accomplish my GED in four and a half years.

I pray for the wonderful teachers who study and compassionately bring education to teach us students. I know there are many of us out there like me who need to go and enroll, take that TABE test, and not put down the books or stop studying until you accomplish all your goals and dreams because you are worthy, and you are special, and one of God’s holy children.

-By Beverly Jenkins


“Our students work hard all day and then in the evenings they push themselves to come to class and learn. The courage and the strength they have to improve themselves inspires me. I cannot change their pasts but I want to help change their future.” -By A Volunteer Tutor


“I find myself reading more, grasping things a lot quicker than before.”

The moment I decided to change my life, was when I went to prison. I didn’t know what to expect, it was scary. I decided to change my life. I stopped smoking, drinking, and using drugs. I started to read the bible more. My mind got a whole lot clearer. I started to feel better about myself and others.

I started caring more about my family, trying to reach out to my son. I heard about The Doe Fund when I was in prison, other inmates were telling me about the program.

Programs that will help me get a better job, Culinary Arts, Click Class Supervisor in Training, Pest at Rest, Building Maintenance, Commercial Driving License, Back Office, and G.E.D Class.

So when I got release from jail, I went to Belview Shelter, from there, I got into the Doe Fund, since I being in the program I’ve completed CD101, CD102, Fatherhood, and a Financial Management Class.

I am here saving my money working on getting a house and a good job.

-By Leonardo Fitzgerald

!If I Could Only Go Back.It would be to experience school. I only made it to the 11th grade.

I still have the desire to finish high school, however college does not interest me. I may enjoy the pressure of education, however titles and papers does not.

I’m interested in obtaining the knowledge and winning order for things, but more of a private pursuit. My youth is fleeting, but my fascination to learn increases. I find myself reading more, grasping things a lot quicker than before. I chose caregiver as a career because of my personality, which I’ve always been in touch with, I’m very good with people―patient, soft-spoken, diligent, and caring. I get along good with the sick and elderly. I can take charge and be stern if necessary.

I find these qualities in myself to be very helpful in my career, and excellent soft skills in dealing with people, I meet in general.

If I could go back, I would like to, go back to the age of 16 years old with all the knowledge I have today and continue learning and experiencing new things. I honestly feel as if time is too short. I would be first in line for an extension.

- By Trevor Manning

New Beginnings


If I could change one thing it would be to have a better life with my family because some of us were running the streets. As for me I got locked up for 3 years and my brother was coming home from jail so we did not get to see each other and that made me upset. I was locked up writing to my family, talking to them on the phone and they came to see me when they were free. It’s April 30, my sentence day, so I go to court to get sentenced an my whole family is there so I’m happy to see them but sad that I’m going upstate. They sentenced me and took me back to the cell. I was waiting to go back to the Island.

On May 8th, I was on my way upstate and I did not talk to my brother before I left. We got to our jail and they showed us our dorms that we would be going to. So we got there and the C.O. told us what to do and how to get stuff if needed. An inmate came to me and asked me my name. Later on he came back and told me that I can send out free mail. I was happy to hear that and I wrote a letter to my mom that nite telling her what I needed and how to set the phone up. The next morning I got up and went to the “messhall” to drop off my letter and eat breakfast and I saw one of my friend from my block and we started talking about my block.

When I got back to my dorm the C.O. called count so he can give the mail and he called my name. So I go get my mail and I look at it, it’s from my mom and I was happy to see that. I go to my cube and open my letter and read it. She told me the phone was on and my package was on its way. I turn the letter around and my mom is like son, your brother has to tell you something. At that point I started to read the part my brother wrote me and he said bro they killed “Donte” and that was when I started crying. My brother said: It was in July. I lost my mind.

I started fighting, jumping on people and I was sent to the S-block. I’m laying down in my bed and I get a letter from my parole board and I opened it to read it and it said that they were taking my conditional release away. I was mad and I wrote my mom and told her what happened to me. I was laying down thinking about my brother and family. I came home in the summer of 2013 and I went to visit the place where my brother got shot. I pass through the park where this place is everyday, I think about all the things that me and my brother went through when he was in this park, and I don’t want to have the same fate. I decided to change my life because I have people that love me like my family, my daughter and my mom.

-By Shakur Lanier


It was April 14th. My ex-girlfriend’s name was Jazz and she told us about a guy who had lots of money. She said she would set him up for us. So me and my friend was down for it so we called this guy name Denny because he had a car at the time. I went to my house so I can get the guns out of my room in my grandma house. I stepped in the house. My grandma was cooking pork chops, rice, green beans―she knows I love pork chops. I went to my room I got five guns out my dresser draw. My 45, 9mm, 38, and a 25, for Jazz ‘cause she was the one going in the house. She needed it just in case. My grandma stopped me and said let me pray for you Charles.” She said she had been thinking about me all day. She said whatever you about to do, don’t do it. Something bad is going to happen.

So, we got in the car. Jazz called the guy. The deal was that Jazz would go in the house then open the door for me and my friends. I was going to drive the guy pick up and told Jazz to come over. Then we went to the house so Jazz went in. I don’t know what she was doing in there but she texted us and told us the door was open so my friends got in the car with the guns. I got in the driver’s seat. It took them a minute to come out, so I went in. When I opened the door, I saw the guy and one of my friends fighting over the gun, so I shot the guy two times. Then we got the money and got out of there. We dropped the others off, and me and Jazz went off to the Motel 6. Then a couple of days later, my grandma calls me and said that the police was looking for me about a robbery. Somebody saw D tags and the boys got D and he told on all of us. My grandma keep saying she told me so. But, me and Jazz was on the run for like two months. They had heads up who Jazz was. They went to her people’s house looking for her and me. They locked all of us up. I did four years in SCDC then. If I can change one thing, I would never have done that robbery. My grandma told me not to go. So when somebody tells you something it may be for your own good sometime.

-By Charles T. Randolph

!I just got out of prison for selling drugs. It’s not worth it, losing years of your life. I know that I can make money without selling drugs. I can work a 9-5 and still make money that way I don’t have to be looking over my shoulder anymore. I feel good doing the right things. God has a plan and it’s not bad. You only live once. We are not getting any younger. I am in the Ready, Willing, and Able Program, in a lot of ways it can help me get my Driver’s License and my apartment. I didn’t have one in a long time, since the 90’s and I want that bad. I need my privacy so that I can get my thoughts together relax my mind and think better. If I keep that up, things will be great for me and my family. What’s left?

-By Victor Phillips



I would like to improve my Reading and Math so I can better myself in the new world and be a better person so I can get better job. I come to class to learn more about the G.E.D so I can be a better man in the world. I’m willing to learn so one day I can help my grandkids and be a better person in life to myself and other people too.

I’m also taking cooking classes because I love to cook. When my family comes to visit me they would be proud of me. I also like to keep myself busy in life, because I’m trying to stay focused because life is getting harder and I am getting older.

-By Edwin Rivera

I wish is that I would have never started hanging out with clowns in the neighborhood, getting in trouble, and doing negative things like smoke weed, drinking, and not listening to my mom. I continued to run the streets with negative people who I thought were my friends but they really didn’t care about me at all. Things started escalating to me getting in trouble with the law, and getting locked up.

While being locked up, I was thinking of a smarter way to do things so I won’t get caught. I kept repeating the same behavior over and over expecting different results. My life was just getting worse. I was putting myself in a deeper hole. I thought I would never be homeless. I always thought my mom would be there for me and never give up on me. It seemed like things were the total opposite. In 2010, I ended up homeless, me and my brother had nowhere to go. After we became homeless life was a like a living hell for me and my brother.

In 2011 I went to Job Corp but I got kicked out for dirty urine. After I got kicked out of Job Corp I was back in the shelter in Brooklyn. Things weren’t getting any better for me. I was just bouncing from shelters to drug programs to three quarter houses. Things were just out of control for me.

In 2013, I got locked up again for 8 months. I came home and went to Wards Island. A week Later, I got into R.W.A. at 520 Gates Ave. I always heard Ready, Willing, and Able was a great change my living situation meaning I wanted to get my own apartment and have my life in order.

-By Francisco Santana

“I always heard Ready, Willing, and Able was a great change.”


Education has changed my life in a big way, because I haven’t been to school in a long time since I graduated out of Thomas Jefferson H.S. in 1995. It feels good to go to school. It keeps me out of a lot of trouble, it also keeps me busy and thinking at the same time. If I wasn’t at Ready, Willing, and Able going to this GED class, I’ll be smoking a lot of weed. I been clean four months in April 12, 2014. It’s been tough every since my schedule have changed. I know I got a long way to go on my reading, but I will continue to finish what I started by improving on my reading! Nothing will stop me. I’m just starting to get the hang on everything.

-By Taliak Pitt


I wish that I never touched drugs at the age of thirteen. I was selling drugs and using them. Drugs made me cheat people out of their money. Drugs made me lie to family, friends, and everyone else. I hurt my mother by stealing from her, lying to her, and disappointing her. Drugs put me in prison because I continued using them.

Now I am clean. I am working on my education, being open-minded, and learning how to speak English correctly. When I go to my mother’s house I have a good conversation with her about my goals. My mother is happy because I am staying clean today. I feel good about my recovery, my life.

In the future, I would like to help the Juveniles by being a motivational speaker. I would like to go in the schools to talk with kids about drugs, prison, and a clean life. I want to give The Doe Fund a special Thanks for giving me a second chance.

-By Wilfred Barfield

Education changed my life. By having a moment in a Literacy Partners classroom, I noticed a teacher that shows her love and passion for watching people as myself trying very hard to learn something old and make it come alive right in front of a classroom, the care and concern that this person shows in this classroom in the little time that we are given can’t go without being noticed.

At first I didn’t like coming to class, however God has a way of working his miracle through people, when you are given a second chance of having such a beautiful person. Ms. Anne Ashton, was a gift to Literacy Partners for us guys and young women that are a little behind, with the patience that she shows us every day that she is here, she has made learning so much fun and me being 50 years old, I have never seen a women with so much love and passion for seeing people that have a few rough moment in our lives, and will love to see all of us succeed in getting to where we would love to be. When every person has said you won’t be nothing in life, Anne Ashton says yes you can!

Ms. Anne Ashton has inspired me to continue my education. She told me that when you apply yourself, the sky is the limit. Thank you so much for opening my eyes when no one has taken their time to show me that I matter in this life, it has made me feel like someone important in this fast past world of material people.

-By Julio Gonzalez

On May 9, 2013, I lost my job with the State Department of Mental Health in South Carolina. It was 6:00 in the morning, so I called my cousin Kim, and she said “now you’ve lost your job, God has fixed it so you can come work for me.”

So I went to New York, and we agreed I would do work around her house for 2-3 thousand dollars. Over the course of a few months, I built walls, landscaped the back garden, painted, and screened in her porch. When I finished the work, I decided to come down to Queens to see my sister, nieces, and nephews.My oldest niece talked me into staying in NYC but I had no place to live long term. So I became homeless. One of my best friends had graduated from The Doe Fund in Philadelphia.

We have known each other since the second grade and started drugs together around 8 or 9 years old. So he suggested I go to The Doe Fund to get help, get me a place to stay and get me a job. I was at Bellevue for 2 weeks. When I was staying at Bellevue I saw a man from The Doe Fund signing people up. So, I signed up and came to The Doe Fund. That was on September 5, 2013.

At The Doe Fund, I found out about the Literacy Partners program. And I thought, that’s what I want to do, learn to read and do math. I met Miss Anne, the teacher for reading and math, everything I needed. She was so helpful unconditionally. She took the time to help me with reading and math. She also had the patience to look at the inner me and show me that anything is possible. She made me realize this is important―learning to read and to do math than the 8.25/hr pushing the bucket.

The money was not as important. Learning to read and do math was more important because I always made money. I had a job in my life. I know how to get a job. Learning to read and do math, what I couldn’t do before, is more important to me. My reading level has gone up from 2.3 to a 6.9. That doesn’t mean anything to anyone but me. For the first time in my life, I’m not worried about money. Now I can read a ruler. I can figure out how much it will cost me to buy the materials for a job. I can use a computer, like at Lowe’s to figure out what I need to do a job, and how much I need to charge. Before I would pay someone to make me an itemized price list or a bill for someone, then I had to figure out what to pay him and still make some money myself. Now I can do that myself.

-By William Brown


My pencil is the lighter to the camp fire. My paper is blank until I write my destination. When my ears are further opened and ready to learn it’s like a desire that I have to reach to activate the manifestation. Reading is fundamental. Math is economical, Science, Social Studies and Language is furthermore astronomical. When Education is broken down there’s only nine word that leads to the beginning of the never ending success that comes with Education.

E= is for economicalD= is for desireU= is for unificationC= is for the courageA= is for affirmationT= is for the trials to get there to you destination I= is for information O= is for opportunityandN= is for Nastronamical...

Education.

-By Stanley Harris


Literacy Partners 30 East 33rd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10016

T: 212.725.9200

www.literacypartners.org

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Documents

Gather Together: A Journal of Student Writing