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The NEW YORK STATE LITERARY CENTER (NYSLC)
with funding from the New York State Council
on The Arts, Monroe County, and The Guildo
and Ellen Palma Foundation is building upon
its success working with incarcerated youth
for the past nine years. "From Here to The
Rest of The World" (title from "The Wire")
is a transition pilot program that builds
upon NYSLC's knowledge, history, and
strengths with incarcerated youth programs
to address a community wide problem:
transition from incarceration back into the
community.
Two years ago an incarcerated youth wrote to
NYSLC upon his release from Monroe
Correctional Facility:
"When I was recently incarcerated at Monroe
Correctional Facility I was introduced to
the New York State Literary Center. I think
this is an awesome organization. This is a
wonderful way for us as young adults to
learn to express our feelings and beliefs on
our everyday life. With the New York State
Literary Center, we have a chance to show
and express ourselves positively as human
beings. The more I learned about NYSLC the
more I got nvolved in the class. Now I am
released from custody and won't be able to
participate in the program any more, which
isn't fair! It surprised me that a wonderful
program like this should just be in jails. I
believe if there was a program like this
created in the community it really would
make a change. There are plenty of young
adults who have been in jail and plenty of
children who would love to join a community
classroom like the NYSLC. It gives us an
opportunity to learn, to have fun and
express our feelings all at the same time.
"I really think there should be a discussion
about opening a "community" classroom in the
community. I would even help run a
fundraiser for funds if needed to get the
program up and running. Thanks for your time
and appreciation. Hope to hear something
soon!"
The young man's idea and Rochester's
documented "prison to prison" pipeline
motivated NYSLC to identify how its success
could contribute to successful transition
back into the community.
NYSLC is fortunate to be able to work with
six talented and committed artists and
writers and several places in the community
to implement this initiative. We will be
updating what is happening in Work In
Progress on http://www.nyslc.org/
NYSLC exists to provide pathways to learning
and growth for all youth. NYSLC's programs
affirm that learning can be made relevant to
youths' lives and that the ability to
participate and succeed is extremely
important to young people who have never
experienced praise or success. NYSLC
believes in the potential of all young
people.
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