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A Letter from Youth Detained at Oak Hill
2nd of June 2009
The Oak Hill Youth Center is DC’s jail for juveniles. Reasonable people have widely varying views about this facility and the degree to which it helps—or hurts—young people and their families.
Many young people are diverted from Oak Hill to Sasha Bruce programs so that we can help them reunite with strengthened families, and guide them to be responsible members of our communities. Though our staff are involved with youth exiting Oak Hill on a daily basis, it is infrequent that we receive positive news from the jail, itself. The note below is remarkable. It was written by Genesis Scholars, a group of young people incarcerated at Oak Hill and who attend the Maya Angelou Academy there. Accodring to Nicole Lee, the Director of Advocacy Education at the Academy, the youth who have written the note earned $125 through their participation in career planning and academic classes, and some scholars even chose to donate additional funds to Sasha Bruce from their actual stipend earnings. Their note speaks volumnes about the high character of these young people.
May 7, 2009
Sasha Bruce,
We have noticed the work that you do in our community and would like to thank you with this financial contribution which we have earned from good behavior and donations from our check that we earn at our school. We are pleased to contribute to your organization. Please continue to be a positive example in our community!
Many thanks,
Genesis Scholars