tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492647068286766482011-10-06T09:57:56.501-07:00L.A.C.E.O is a nonprofit organization located in Graterford Prison, Graterford PA. This blog is hosted by Centro Pedro Claver, a Philadelphia non profit as outreach to youth and the local community through art and "How to Play the Game" booklet. All writings, information, art, and personal stories were compiled by L.A.C.E.O. and its members.Centro Pedro Claver, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17215399254764764823noreply@blogger.comBlogger361100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549264706828676648.post-433750356689798642008-12-15T12:47:00.000-08:002008-12-15T12:54:21.788-08:00

The garden he took care of for twenty years took care of him. The younger prisoners used to laugh at him when they would see him smiling and talking to the flowers as he weeded and hoed. They would ask: " What's up Old Timer?" His answer: "These flowers take me out of here sometimes and I don't feel like I'm in prison, I am free."The count was off by one man; it was Old Timer. Everyone said the

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John A. Pace was 17 in 1985 when he was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of an instrument of crime PIC. Because his victim passed away 10 days later, he was re-charged with robbery, murder, and PIC. Prior to his arrest for this crime, John had never been convicted or incarcerated for a crime and he had a known drug problem, for which his high school principal sought to get

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Mollo Figueroa In 1991 when Mollo(Moyo) Figueroa was just 16 years old, he was one of four participants involved in a homocide. At 16-and the youngest of the four defendants, and the only juvenile, he was misled by his public defendant into believing he would only serve 17 1/2-35 years. Under the advisement of his attorney Mollo pled guilty to first degree murder. Mollo was coerced into making a

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"It is extremely difficult explaining to anyone about the intellectual and spiritual changes that take place within the teenager who is destined to become a man in prison. A man that is condemned to die in that very institution. "Erik VanZant was 14 years old when he broke into his neighbors house and fatally stabbed her. No psychological examination was performed to determine his competency

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Whether we are English, Spanish, or Spanglish, we're striving to have our voices heard. From city streets to prison blocks, our voices have been silenced. Not any more. Blinded by the Ghetto American Dream and a false sense of reality, we as a people have been stagnated. However, no longer do we wear blinders, we now stand united, see what's around us, behind us, and what lies ahead of us.In

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Mixed Media Collage

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What types of Community Service does JLJ(Juvenile Lifers for Justice) perform?Members of JLJ are committed to several outgoing community outreach projects. Some of them are: (1) mentoring adjudicated youth from the Mitchell program at St. Gabriel's youth facility in making postive lifestyle changes. (2)Developing a youth crime prevention booklet that is based upon our collective life experiences

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The Super Bowl Creed( A Pro Football Player's Prayer)Yea though I walk through the valley of theshadows of the billboards of corporate greed,I shall fear no evil because the lord of competition is with me,His tax-payer,subsidized, team manager, doctor, and life-flight helicopter comfort me, He hath revealead to me that my head is my helmet and even though an occasional concussion confuseth me and

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How many members in Juvenile Lifers for Justice?SCI Graterford has approximately 70. Statewide there are over 330.When was JLJ established?In November 2005 JLJ was established after the Human Rights Watch published their report in October of that year. The US Supreme Court decided Roper v. Simmons in March of that same year. The report "The Rest of Their Lives"(Human Rights Watch) brought

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Colored Pencil drawing of Thomas Tomoney. Thomas was 16 years old when he was charged with murder. Growing up in North Philadelphia, he found himself in a great deal of trouble when he was 13 years old. During this particular time, gang wars in Philadelphia were prevalent and Thomas found himself in many fights because he was from a rival neighborhood. This led to him being placed in reform

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What does art mean to me?If I had my way, Art would be a proper nounIt's much more than a person, place, or thingArt is universalMuch more than even a global thingWith Art I can travel through the cosmosAnd even become a starI can travel through timeI can even be rebornI can make a mistakeAnd create a new slateI can Cre-ateWith Art I can be the big "G" o dIf it's to beIt's up to meWith Art I can

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WAR(for Line and Sami)(read in the manner of the spoken word)There's been a war raging for the past 400 yearsthe goal of which has been money and privilege for someat the expense of other's life, limb, and tears.There's been a war raging for the past 400 yearsagainst the people who look like you by people who look like me;all just grease for the slave machine's gears.There's been a war raging

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(c) Angel Ortiz

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PRISON LIFE STORIES DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER, RELATIVE OR FRIEND WHO WAS INCARCERATED? HOW HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN IMPACTED BY IT? TELL US YOUR LIFE STORY IN FIVE MINUTES & BE PART OF A DOCUMENTARY for WYBE Channel 35! Termite TV Collective is group of video artists who create a series of videos called “Life Stories”. In our latest Life Story Project, we want to explore

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(C)"Suave" Gonzalez

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Come and join us for the Juvenile Lifers exhibition at Centro Pedro Claver November 7, 2007 5:30pm-8:00pm.

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If you are a leader you should use the influence you have over your peers/homies to start a club or youth group. Your group can be for recreation, study group, or a support group where everyone helps each other with their problems.Choose constructive outlets for your talents/skillsCan you draw? How about play music? Maybe you're a rapper or poet. If not, what would you like to do? Take time to

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Secrets of the game....Here are things you can begin to do to reduce your chances of becoming a juvenile lifer.Beware of who you hang out withAre you around people who really care about your future? If your homies aren't encouraging you to achieve your goals in a positive way, then they aren't your homies. If your friends aren't trying to go where you're going, then how can you walk together? To

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http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/10699382.html

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Balloon reads: Man, I got so many issues I don't know what to do. HELP

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For anyone who requested copies of the booklet: there is no cost for the booklet. Please send us your contact information. Thank you.

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When I was 16 years old, I thought I knew it all and nobody could tell me anything. My mother tried to talk to me many times, warning me about what could happen if I didn't live right. I didn't listen and I had to learn the hard way: by losing my freedom for life. I know how it is to be in your shoes, when you feel like giving up and taking short cuts, but is it really worth it? Would it make

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All artwork from "How to Play the Game" was drawn by James(his story is on a previous post.)

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How to Play the Game is a collaboration of work by Juvenile Lifers in Graterford Prison. All stories and artwork are copyrighted. The distribution of the books is dependent on the copyright owner, whom we are waiting for a response from concerning the numerous request for the books.

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If you are interested in getting copies of "How to Play the Game" booklet please contact laceoart@centroclaver.com Thanks.

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I am currently in prison for the rest of my life. When I was 17 years old I was arrested for shooting a man three times. This man died of those gunshot wounds and here I am now 32 years old serving a life sentence. When I was a teenager, I was very angry because my life growing up was rough. I lived in a home where drugs were abused and fighting was normal. My hood was just a larger version of my

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You are sixteen(16) years old; you probably hate being told what to do by anyone. You hang with your homies; you might blow an "L", you might even carry heat(a gun). People probably hate on you and that might lead to drama here and there. You know like I do that sometimes things can get hectic in the streets, so you might end up using that "heat" in a beef.In this case you busted your gun and

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This informative booklet is intened to serve as an educational tool for "at risk" youth. Inside is a section titled"Discussion Points" This section can be used as a guide to engage in a more in-depth dialogue with children. We're hoping that with our collective knowledge, insight, and experiences, today's youth can be empowered to make positive lifestyle choices and thereby avoid the destructive

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Balloon reads: Forget school! I'm cuttin' to hang out with my homies. HA HA!

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Juvenile Lifers for Justice is a collective of prisoners who were arrested as juveniles(under 18 years old) for criminal homicide and are currently serving life sentences without parole in Pennsylvania.There are over 33o juvenile lifers both male and female in Pennsylvania serving life sentences without parole. Some children were as young as fourteen when they were arrested and some have been

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Centro Pedro Claver, in line with the Hispanic Festival will host an exhibition of art from inmates in Graterford Prison. The works will vary with paintings, drawings, pastels, charcoals, and writings. The exhibition will take place in October. Be sure to check back for the date. You may also check Centro's website...www.centroclaver.org for updates on LACEO exhibition and our own events as

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L.A.C.E.O(Latin American Cultural Exchange Organization) is an organization created within Graterford Prison. They have a large multitalented group who express their views through painting, drawing, writing, etc.

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