Beyond These Walls: A Powerful Week at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center

Volunteering for my second time this year at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center was an even more impactful experience than the first. I felt more comfortable and familiar with the environment, which allowed me to connect with the young people in a deeper way.

I'm incredibly grateful to have been part of an amazing week with a powerful group of speakers. We were there to provide a different kind of learning than what the young people are used to, and I am quite positive each of us walked away gaining more than we gave.

We had Gia Peppers, who gave them a chance to try out storytelling and learn how to read a teleprompter. Jessica Nabongo talked about possibilities, hopes, and dreams through her journey of traveling to all 195 countries. I focused on emotional regulation, guiding them through and even role-playing how to pause and maintain control under deep stress. I initially worried that my material for adult learners wouldn't translate, but I quickly found my footing and was so grateful for the experience. Felton Brown also joined us, using his graphic design skills to create custom album covers for every student who gave him an idea of what they'd want their album to look like.

A huge thank you to DeRay McKesson and Jaren Longmire for their deep commitment to these young people, many of whom have been failed when they should have been supported. I also want to give a shout-out to the staff at Cuyahoga. Their love and care for the students are truly felt.

This was a deeply compelling experience, and it's a powerful reminder that our collective commitment to equity, empathy, and supporting young people can make all the difference.

Photos credits: HARTBREAK FILMS, INC. and CCJDC / Dwain Ross II