Narrative of Our Life and Times Narrative of Our Life and Times is a NYSLC arts learning project completed last year at Monroe County Jail. It was designed and developed as a means for incarcerated youth to reach out and communicate their  concerns, thoughts, and observations on their neighborhoods and their community.  "Death is so common today. I hear about it. I see it. When it happens I no longer grieve, just a sad second's memory that gets repressed. These memories build up until I can't take anymore. Then I turn angry. Feeling I once had is all drained from my body like it was vacuumed out of me." "Where do I start? When did I start praying that there is not someone on the ground?"  http://www.nyslc.org/lifeandtimes.htm See NYSLC's programs, honors, videos, and the writing and visual art by the incarcerated youth on our website To make a tax-deductible contribution to NYSLC click the button below.

New York State Literary Center  "From Here To The Rest of The World"  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.