- On May 19, 2021
- In Youth
Family: an irrefutable influence.
Our Youth Development Program fosters socio-emotional, intellectual, and artistic growth in young people as it provides academic support, job readiness, arts education, leadership training, civic engagement, and advocacy opportunities. The talent these young people have is unlimited and their commitment to embracing who they want to become unparalleled.
Below, we share with all of you some editorial pieces written as part of one of the workshops held by our program. The result is nothing less than moving and eye-opening, showing off the strength this future generation holds inside.
Jonathan Nevarez - Famly’s History
Puerto Rican Heritage is a clash of Muiputy cultures.
(My Land Vs My Reality)
Our History ties as high as our mountain and as low as our oceans
My father built his own house and made it home
But my family seeked better opportunities
More Money, More stability, More chances
They believe it was possible to break chains
My father my mother
Were not to blame for the struggles that came
From their sacrificesI gain independence, chances, freedom to do what I want
But not really these are just thoughts
Drilled into foreigners drilled into young kids like i once was
Growing allowed me to see the truth behind my reality
The reality in which keeps repeating
I will use the values my family has taught me
To break this endless of occurring reality
The last hope into turning my reality
Into their values
Gianni - Silent struggles
“Who am I?” Is a question I ask myself everyday
The price of being bi-racial and never belonging to a single side
Its having the complexion and hair of one race
But being surrounded by the language of another.
My Grandmother embarked on a journey
With my mother and her brothers
From Puerto Rico.
But never forgetting to water her spiritual roots
Or the stories and lessons that are told from our culture
The personalities of each individual in my family
Perfectly mixing together like the ingredients of Sofrito.
And My bitter sweet personality
stemming from a southern pecan pie.
The answer to this question could be found throughout my writing
Or maybe not
Sahgine - Who I am
I'm Sahgine and I come from a haitian household that helped build up who I am
Not speaking up has been ingrained in me.
Covering up my feelings with a smile
Feeling alone and out of place
Where do I belong?
Coming from a haitian household made me this way.
The closed doors shield the truth behind me
I care even when I don’t want too
The heart of one can only hold in so much.
High pride and closed eyes so nothing gets in my way.
Isolating myself keeps me defined and confined from the world around me.
Is being alone what’s best for me?
To donate to this or other IBA programs, please visit https://ibaboston.org/donate
For more information about this program, please contact Pedro Cruz, Youth Development Programs Director at (617) 399-1957 or pcruz@ibaboston.org.