Today was my first time to go to a detention center, and I felt a strong sense of freshness in my heart. When I arrived at the detention center, the place where the juvenile offenders were held was more cozy than I had imagined – the colorful walls, the basketball gymnasium and the white walls covered with graffiti were full of the humanistic atmosphere that is rare in a detention center.

I was apprehensive about meeting this group of juveniles, as I had no previous experience with them.  After introducing themselves, I asked them what their respective dreams were – some said something like being an engineer, some said they wanted to take over his dad’s business after getting their Business Diploma, and others wanted to go into music. It was clear that they were a group of teenagers with dreams and souls – but who had made a “dumb decision” that they would regret for the rest of their lives. But they all have aspirations for a new life, and they all mention that they don’t want to go back to detention center – possibly because of the grumpy buffs and the militaristic nature of the place.

After listening to my story, J told me his story – he got here because he was in a racing competition when he got into trouble with someone and hurt them on purpose. He is fluent in English and Spanish – because he is Hispanic, and the other juvenile offender we interacted with is also Hispanic, but he doesn’t speak English. I tried to talk to him, telling him that it was a blessing in disguise and encouraging him to look toward the future – he held my hand as he said goodbye, as if he had found a soul mate – something no one talks to them about at the detention center.