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  • A LAB Update: September 2011
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  • The Lab E-Newsletter: Back to School/Fall 2010
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  • The Lab: Off to the races for 2nd Session! (January 30, 2011)

I was shown my purpose about 4 years ago. Even before that really, but it didn’t become clear until about then.  There is an overwhelming amount of people that need. Children concern me the most. So much potential. So much opportunity to do something great. To learn new things, grow and become positive influences in their communities, our country and our world.  So many of them don’t have guides to this potential reality but rather plenty that lead them down paths of self-destruction.  I was told to come back home from my wonderful life in California for one reason: Make a difference in the lives of people; especially the children.  I am here. The Lab has given me that opportunity over and over again. I don’t know how much of an impact I am making in the lives of people that I come across but there is one thing that I do know: If I wasn’t here I wouldn’t even have the chance to do so.  I can say that one of the young men that I had the pleasure of mentoring a couple of years ago when I first arrived at the Lab who is going on his second year in post secondary education, calls me to share all his successes, some of his failures and ask me for advice because according to him, “You like a big brother I have never had. I love you man.” That’s why I am here and that’s why I’ll stay….once chance to change one life will change every life that one person comes across. And that means the world to me. Welcome to the Lab!

We have just completed our first 10 Enrichment programs in October and November.  Our Guest Artist has been rhymer/beat-maker/spoken word performer Patrick Pegg. Our host, of course, has been Glo.  After each Enrichment show, the students get to participate in various small groups, including:  Rhyming, Digital Photography, Animal Assisted Education w/therapy dogs, Hip-hop dance, African Drumming and visual art. Here are some pictures of the action.  Enjoy!

Before I came to The LAB, I had never thought of myself as a poet. I like to write, but I had always stuck to term papers and journal entries as my outlets. On my first day of orientation, Mary had us each write a poem based on a prompt phrase. My world was rocked. I surprised myself with how easy the words flowed from my pen to the paper, beamed with pride as I read it aloud, and listened with intrigue as my peers shared theirs. Through that exercise, I understood immediately what the Poetry Lab was all about because it worked on me—I left that day feeling proud of my accomplishment, excited about a new creative outlet and hopeful for tomorrow. Read more

The Amazing Poets of The Ramsey Poetry Lab have been prolific!
Check it out!

Time Someone Told Me

Time someone told me
something that’s positive.
Time someone told me
that I have a creative side.
Time someone told me
that I am amazing at academics.
Time someone told me
something that didn’t make me cry.
I am not Michael Jordan
but I believe I can fly.

Read more

Check out this piece by a Highland Poet.

Reasons For Poetry

I have the same reason for each season.
I write poetry cuz sometimes my heart be bleedin’
sometimes I need someone to lean on
I feel sometimes my life goes back and forth just like ping pong
I just want my poetry to destroy the world like King Kong
All the reasons I choose to do is cuz of poetry
I can be African American and be successful
that’s something I want the lord and the world to see
Sucessful is what I’m gonna be
Since poetry is in my life that’s what’s runnin’
Poetry is here now let the sunshine
poetry is on the plate that’s what you call lunch time
Poetry is in my hand the mic’s in my hand that’s what you call crunch time
All the reasons I choose is because of me
I just let my mind think for it’s own
and let my voice be known
most of all let my poetry of art be shown

You’ve Got Me Mistaken

You’ve got me mistaken
Because the skin I’m in
Doesn’t really determine
if I’m loud or if I’m on crack
You can’t judge a book by its cover
So in this case don’t judge me because of my skin
I am who God made me to be
A bright, intelligent, young lady
With a great future ahead of me
And you’ve got me mistaken
Because of the things I used to do
But as I grew older
I realized you got me mistaken
…Mistaken…

The most glorious moment an individual can witness is to watch a young person shine. His or her smile will echo in your heart forever, like a footprint engraved in stone.  I have seen these smiles so many times already in the last several weeks, from so many different faces, and I am so grateful to play a role in that.  I love helping our youth to accomplish small projects each time they visit our site. Small moments and small projects go a long way. Read more

I have been playing music since I was 6 years old but I’ve never taught it. In joining The Lab team, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and share my passion with others. I wanted to do this, that is, until the day I actually had to give my first lesson. I was paralyzed with apprehension. Who am I to teach? I just play music in my basement, I’m no wise elder! I play drums, I’m not a musician! As I walked upstairs, I thought about all the things I couldn’t do. My perception of a mentor was of someone who has to be infinitly wiser than their mentee. Read more

Check out this poetry, written by our Ramsey Poetry Lab poets.

What I Could Have Changed
What I could have changed
Was to see my dad
The last time.
No hate to the person that did it
But why him?
Now, all the kids that are his
Have to grow up with a story that is

So tough.

I just rap my pain out on these streets
Cuz I think it’s the only way to find me.

Read more

Keith & Roxy, (new volunteers at The Lab) joined Marilou & Ahnung on their classroom visit to River East last week.
Roxy and Ahnung are therapy dogs, and are wonderful partners in sharing messages of compassion, responsible pet ownership, career choices (doggy daycare!)  and communication skills.  Both of these pet therapy teams will be back to share their stories and their positive messages with youth at The Lab!

TEST