At VOICES I am known as the 2% milk girl because of my story about my obsession with milk. These people that I have only known for a short period of time are like family to me. It is so easy, like breathing air, to open up to the people at VOICES. They accept me for who I am. I will use all you have taught me for my future. Thank you! I will never forget VOICES.

During the first week of school, my creative writing teacher made an announcement about VOICES interviews and showed us the VOICES magazine. I realized that the youth who wrote for it were all regular kids. So, feeling inspired by what I saw, I went downtown for an interview, and now here I am! When I tell people what I do as my job at VOICES, they make comments about how awesome it must be, and I can’t help but agree with them!

I joined VOICES in my sister’s footsteps, hoping to develop some confidence in my own writing. I’m so happy to know the people VOICES has introduced to me. I find some refuge and challenge in VOICES  every day.

I originally applied at VOICES with an interest in photography but was placed in the radio program. I soon fell in love with RadioActivism and the people I work with. Though it is technically considered work, I feel like I’m having fun. All of the workshops have helped me to write a story with some authority.

At VOICES I learned how to take the stories that I have to tell and transform them to be told with meaning and in an effective. I also learned that being passionate about what you want to write makes the process enjoyable.

While a youth apprentice at VOICES, I never had to shun my own voice. Even though I feared not being accepted, I soon found out that everyone is welcome at VOICES. My mentor here, Reed, told me it’s OK to speak your truth. In short, VOICES showed me how to be open and truthful about who I am.

I heard about VOICES through other friends who have participated in the past and I thought it would be an interesting experience. VOICES has taught me so much about writing and photography and has given me valuable skills that I can use on a daily basis.

VOICES was one of the most challenging things in my life. I was pushed everyday to do better than the last. Through radio I have learned and understood a lot about myself.

Courage

At VOICES I’ve learned how to condense detail and get more into what my story is really about. I love that the mentors here care to listen to what we have to say.

I love VOICES! It is a place for me to do writing without boundaries. My peers, mentors, and Ben are the rarest people I will ever meet. This has been once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.