“You Are Not Forgotten”: Staying Connected Through COVID-19
By: Myles Flournoy & Avaeta Ahluwalia
We are living in unusual times, and the uncertainty of the unknown can be frightening. This fear is heightened for our incarcerated community members. With visitation removed, all programs on hold, and most prisons on lockdown, incarcerated people are more isolated than ever.
While our ARC offices have been closed since March, we remain committed to addressing the needs of our members, both incarcerated and free. Our grassroots ARC community has continued to run virtual therapy, life coaching, and support groups for our members in the community, while ARC life coaches have continued to provide mentorship and programming to youth in Yolo Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF).
In this story, we will share perspective from life coaches who have been doing virtual programming with youth at JDF since the start of the pandemic.
ARC life coach Aldo Romero laid the foundation for ARC youth groups in Sacramento long before the pandemic hit our country and affected our ability to be present for the youth inside juvenile facilities. Through his experience providing mentorship and programming to youth in Yolo Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) over the years, he realized the importance of connecting with youth to instill hope and show them someone believed in them.
“I was able to see that all these kids needed was love, care, and proper guidance,” Romero said. “One of my greatest joys was watching one young man I had grown close to be sent to placement instead of being sent to a prison or local Juvenile Detention Facility. I was able to see him mature and blossom into a man.”
Before having to adapt to this new virtual world, groups were regularly held in person, with ARC members playing an instrumental role in the rehabilitation of incarcerated youth. Several of our members found a way to continue to be present throughout this challenging time.
Being present and accountable is a priority, and it is especially vital to the ARC Sacramento team who make themselves available to the youth in JDF. The team consists of five system-impacted individuals who understand the importance of being there for those inside youth facilities.
Aldo, Raeshone, Rodney, Juan and an ARC Mentor each possess understanding of the role they play in staying accountable to the youth inside facilities. Three days a week they host virtual groups in hopes of communicating with our young people inside.
Collectively, their message inside is “we are still here for you, you are not forgotten.”
Raeshone Holmes, a Life Coach at Sacramento ARC, supports youth and women’s programming in Sacramento. Shone has always wanted to work with youth to show them she, too, was once in their shoes, and that change is possible and hope is necessary.
“It’s important for them to know they are not forgotten,” Holmes said. “They need to know that someone out there cares for them, and know that we will go the extra mile to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed in life. ARC is doing a spectacular job at advocating for our youth and helping them succeed in a world that is not kind to them.”
Another ARC mentor and Youth Facilitator, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has been passionate about working with youth since 1991. They have been supporting ARC youth programming inside juvenile facilities for nearly a year. Through sharing their own experience, they seek to develop strong and lasting connections with the youth they work with.
“When I was a kid, in the juvenile system, I felt alone and isolated. I don’t want the youth to feel like that,” the ARC mentor said. “That’s why working with youth is important to me. It’s important for them to know we are still here, and it’s important for us to keep our promises, to stay connected with them and not abandon them.”
Rodney Bryant, a juvenile life coach at ARC, has worked with youth for over 15 years. He created a mentoring program for youth after he saw how many young people were being sent to adult facilities.
“It’s important for youth to know they are not alone. This new virtual experience is even more engaging and fascinating for our youth,” said Bryant. “They look forward to putting together life plans and setting goals during our sessions. It’s important for youth to have an outlet; they need to trust you in order to open up. They are hungry for knowledge about future careers, and I am proving myself by following through. Youth gravitate towards trustworthy individuals and it’s important that we show up consistently for the youth, especially during these times.”
Juan Rivera, a juvenile life coach at ARC, began working with youth due to his own life experiences. Having admired the hard working and compassionate social service practitioners he’d come into contact with, coupled with volunteering opportunities he engaged in as an undergraduate student, he saw the level of impact caring adults can have in the lives of youth, especially those who lacked a positive role model.
“It is important to help our youth by empowering them to recognize that they are able to accomplish their life dreams and goals. Often, many youths that we work with suffer from low self-esteem and lack many soft skills that are pivotal for their self-growth,” Rivera said. “In addition, it is important that we help not only the youth, but their families, as risk factors are rooted from areas that are beyond their control. We must continue to advocate for our youth and families and change laws that provide a disservice for our communities.”
It is critical for the youth inside Yolo Juvenile Detention Facility to know they have mentors who are still showing up and remaining accountable. ARC will continue to stay connected beyond COVID, and we are fortunate to have partnerships that allow us to be creative with our programming and connect virtually to support our participants.
Parting notes to the youth in JDF from our Life Coaches.
“We miss you all. Once the quarantine is lifted, we will be there. You are not forgotten, we are still fighting for you on all fronts.” — ARC Mentor
“Stay safe! We are living in times that are unprecedented. If you want to change for the better, there are people there to support you. I believe in you! Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” — Rodney
“Even though you’re behind bars, you are not forgotten. Folks inside are loved and cared for as any other citizen that is out here in the free world. We want you to be afforded the best care, just as we would want for ourselves during this time.” — Raeshone
“Even though we may not be there physically, just know that we are there with you. We will continue to fight even when we find ourselves in times like these!” — Juan
“My wish is that no youth ever gets a life sentence. My goal is to help these youth get ahead in life while living positive, productive lives, and ARC is making that possible.” — Aldo
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Myles Flournoy is a Grant Writer at ARC. Avaeta Ahluwalia is a MSW student at USC.
