All youth are worthy of Love, Support, and Dignity!
Written By: Charlie Montoya
All youth are sacred and worthy of love and support, not push out and punishment. Young people deserve to be supported in order to develop positively. When we are punished, kicked out of school or pushed into the juvenile justice system, it is hard to disconnect and creates lifelong barriers. It is a set up for failure. Both my biological father and step father are both school to prison pipeline survivors who have shared their experiences and challenges.
When I hear “all youth are sacred” that tells me youth are worthy of love, dignity, and support. If all youth are seen as sacred, our communities would look a lot different. Systems would not punish or discard young people for mistakes and adolescent behavior. Our communities should have ample resources for youth programs and services, social and emotional supports and positive youth development models.
My first year in 6th grade I went to Maze middle school in Hollister, Ca. My first few months at Maze were really rough, I was put on a Behavioral Contract and a No Contact contract for defending myself. I was threatened to be sent to a continuation school after I got put on those 2 contracts. I was sad and felt abandoned because I was getting no support from the teachers or the principles. I was also scared that the cops were going to get involved and I would’ve been a part of the School Prison Pipeline.
After I got put on those 2 contracts, my parents decided to transfer me to Hollister Prep School. I got really lucky cause it's lottery based and my parents signed me up the first day and I got accepted. The first day I went to school everyone was welcoming, nice, and friendly. I actually felt supported when I went to that school. Then throughout my middle school I started getting into a lot of trouble and they probably could’ve called law informants like 4-5 times, but they had a lot of patience and didn't want to get the cops involved. They didn't put me on a contract when I got in trouble.
Maze Middle School’s approach was set up for failure because once you get in trouble they want to send you to continuation school. Hollister Prep School's approach is setting up young people for success. They held me accountable without making me feel bad. They provide intervention and work closely with my parents to ensure my success. Most young people that get in trouble in school deserve 2nd, 3rd, or 4th chances because our mistakes do not define us.
In conclusion, all youth are worthy of love, support, and dignity. Maze middle school has zero tolerance policies and is feeding the school to prison pipeline. Most youth need mentorship and guidance to succeed. One approach that I liked and has been impactful in my life are talking circles. In talking circles, young people can express themselves, their feelings and support one another. I am happy and proud to have graduated the 8th grade and am now on my way to high school.
