Translate
Stories by Issue
As National Poetry Month comes to a close, read below submissions from We ‘Ced youth. If you could write a poem to COVID, what would you want to tell it? Dear COVID-19, You don’t know me But right now everyone knows you You’re infamously the talk of the globe As we isolate at home We’re told that we are not alone But the division you caused says otherwise I don’t even want to go outside You can see fear in everybody’s eyes since that’s the only feature you see This is the “new normal” for us This is how my brother and sister are growing up I want my life back I can’t go to my boyfriend’s house their ostracization is painful and raw Given to me by a fear you caused We can’t go to the mall like we used to This has been the longest I’ve been without my auntie I never was a hugger but I’d give anything for us to be together I’m Class of 2020 but there’s no cap and gown for me If we’re lucky maybe a belated ceremony My whole life is online now School, work, friends, everything You are detrimental for my socialization I have siblings I can’t see Family who misses me A life I can’t lead Drive I’m losing And you still won’t leave You make it hard to function And way too easy to think Kids my age can’t take it Suicide to escape this combat rink We’re too embarrassed to admit it but we’re scared I’m scared of what you’re doing to me and my family What do you do when your a child seeing your dad terrified When you see pain mother in your mother’s eyes You aren’t killing my body But you’re eroding away what’s inside With much hate, A Teen of 2020 – Stephanie Gurtel, 17 ___________________________________________________________ Hard It’s Hard.. Read More
california central valley community family health mental health school students youthThe city of Merced’s Annual Walk for Violence, run by Gloria Aguirre, mother of Benito Aguirre Jr., a victim of gang violence in the county. Read More
The Queer & Trans Youth Leadership Summit (QT Summit) is a 3-day youth leadership development opportunity for LGBTQIA+ youth ages fifteen to nineteen. The three days in early March are very busy with many activities to help youth meet new people, learn more about the Social Justice Movement Stories of LGBTQIA+ people, and have young voices lead gender and LGBTQIA+ issues in local and statewide campaigns. Read More
According to the Merced City and County Continuum of Care, the City of Merced homeless count dropped very slightly from 318 to 310 in 2018, though the number of displaced people in Merced County rose from 454 to 514. Your words from the sickness That’s been infecting your mind And swelling your feet Stuck in my head tonight As I drove out of the parking lot I saw you Clutching the rag That gave you some warmth We made eye contact And my empathy Signaled I needed to break the boundaries Broadcasting our society So I parked again And walked up to the front I gave you a blanket And watched The fear in your eyes Escape As the tears welled up Sanity hit through Only for second But then your words clouded And your ranting started to spew Bipolar and Schizophrenia You shouted out addresses Of loved ones Who left you Alone with your demons You scratched at your clothes Infested with dirt And clung to your body Soaked in heroin All drugs you thought could mask the relentless pain In your head You said They wanted to put you In an institution But even your unawareness Couldn’t give you the benefit For the cold Was blowing your feet And socks weren’t coming I only have These cheese sticks I bought in a hurry For my lunches I’m sure your empty stomach Would appreciate it As you were yelling It would give you some strength But cheese sticks Can’t fix the swirls in your head I wish I could pull out Those memories of the streets Instead People in your position Remind me of my luck That I have a home With a warm fresh coat And no fear of being struck I have no fright Of extreme poverty On a cold December night Outside of a Target parking lot I have no fright of bare feet and a decayed young mind Read More
community growing up in Merced homelessness mental health merced county homeless count substance abuseThe We'Ced Youth Media cohort weighs in on the migrant caravan from Central America trying to seek asylum in the United States.
immigration refugees