YOUTH POEMS
The following poems were written by the young participants in the various poetry sessions conducted in Colorado (presented with the permission of the authors). These poems are therapeutic in nature and therefore are not censored. Please contact us for more information.

FEATURED YOUTH POET :: Shyla, 17

An excerpt from Shyla's 3-minute poem:

Confused about life
Mixed emotions left and right
Tell me what it would be like
To live a normal life
Outside of the system
Being able to be with loved ones
And having not to worry about the foster home...

It feels like you have to have a pass
To be who you are
A pass to live
A pass to be part of something
You know what I say
F*ck the pass
Be who you want
Live your life
And be a part of something

I forgot what it's like to be normal
Yes, my life changed
But it only made me stronger
That's why I'm here today
Reading this poem to you all
Close your eyes, let everything go
wish on a star that your dreams will come true…
I'm the one who shines like the sun and the stars
you can see my true reflection if you know who I am
The search is amazing

I want to shine like the morning sun over the ocean
I want people in this world to hear my voice
I'm searching for that person you'll never forget
I love my life, I love being Shyla.

Read the interview with Shyla!

PREVIOUS FEATURED YOUTH POETS
Khalid, 16

:: Reality, 13
:: Giovanni, 21

POEMS BY VENUE
Click on the link for a list of poems created at each venue
The Spot Urban Youth Center
Columbine High School

POEMS BY POET
Click on each name for a poem by that author; poets are listed in alphabetical order by first name
Aaron Williams, 23
Abby Templeton, 23
Giovanni Lopez, 21
Jamal Miles, 15
James McDonald, 21
Ketha Johnson, 19
Molly, 21
Phoenix, 23
Reality, 13

POEMS FROM THE SPOT*
download a pdf of the collection :: CLICK HERE
*If you are between the age of 14 and 24, you are welcome to come to The Spot at 21st and Stout any Tuesday night from 6 to 8 pm and participate in a workshop. There is no fee, and we'll provide writing materials and any necessary art supplies. CLICK HERE for a map to The Spot.
by Aaron Williams, 23
Stealing My Sunlight by Aaron Williams, 23
Poetry by Abby Templeton, 23
El Camino by Abby Templeton, 23
My World by Giovanni Lopez, 21
Let Go by Giovanni Lopez, 21
Judgment of Me? by Jamal Miles, 15
Forgiveness by James McDonald, 21
I Am Sacred by Ketha Johnson, 19
A Letter To My Parents/My Love Is From Within by Ketha Johnson, 19
Temple Women by Phoenix, 23
Teach Me To Be a Woman by Phoenix, 23
Down by the River by Molly, 21
Hero by Reality, 13

POEMS FROM COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL
more to come
Friends Killing Friends by Jocelyn Heckler

PARTNERS/COLLABORATORS
Art from Ashes facilitators are in partnership with or have collaborated with the following organizations to provide therapeutic poetry workshops for the youth in their care:

• Adams City Middle School [through the International Learning Center]
• Alsop Elementary School [through the Bridges Program]
• African American Leadership Institute
• Auraria Campus Healthy Moves Program
• Aurora Youth 4 Success [Rocky Mountain Research & Prevention Institute]
• Barnum Recreation Center
• Boulder County Juvenile Integrated Treatment Court
• Boulder Preparatory Academy :: download a testimonial
• Bruce Randolph Middle School (through the YMCA's After School Program)
• CASA Start, a program of Community Reach Center
• City and County of Denver :: Denver Parks and Recreation
• Cleo Wallace Residential Treatment Center
• Cole Arts and Sciences Academy
• Columbine High School
• Community Reach Center
• Denver Big Picture School
• Denver Children's Home
• Denver Housing Authority
• Denver Justice High School
• Denver Juvenile Probation
• Denver Public Library :: Central
• Denver Public Library :: Schlessman branch
• Denver Rescue Mission :: The Crossing
• Douglas County Student Support Center
• Excelsior Youth Center
• Fairview Elementary (through the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation's After School Program)
• Family Crisis Center
• Girls Gangs program at Lakewood Probation Department
• Grupo Vida
• Hampden Academy Day Treatment Center
• Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center
• Hinkley High School/Aurora Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project
• Imago Dei youth group
• Kearney Middle School [through the International Learning Center]
• Kepner Middle School
• Lighthouse Writers Youth Workshop
• Jefferson Hills Treatment Hospital
• L.I.N.K. Adam's County after-school program
• LnF Residential Treatment Center
• Lutheran Hospital Day Treatment Center
• Mental Health Center of Denver :: 2Succeed
• Mayor's Office for Education and Children
• Mile High Youth Corp
• Adam's County Migrant Education Program
• Montbello High School [through the Check Your Head program]
• Montview High School
• Neighborhood Ministries, Phoenix, Arizona
• North Middle School (through Project PAVE's after school program)
• Northeast Academy
• Phoenix Program at Telluride High School
• Project PAVE
• P.S. 1
• Rishel Middle School
• Savio House
• Seeking Common Ground
• Smedley Elementary (through the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation's After School Program)
• Southern Hills Middle School
• Urban Peak at The Spot Urban Youth Center

To make a donation that will support an 8-week session for up to 20 youth, please download sponsorship information.