When I found my son, he had been thrown out by his adoptive parents and they had gone to Europe.

I discovered where he lived because, for a very short time, he had a telephone. One day , for some reason, I cut through the telephone company’s building in the city where I live. There was a bank of phone books on the wall. Since I was searching for him, I decided to stop and take a look. Why not?

Among the phone books was a slim, interim telephone book for the city where he lived. His name was in it and his address. His name never appeared in the large regular telephone book, before or after. I checked. Finding that book was extreme good luck. Or the hand of God. Or something.

I knew from my research where his adoptive parents lived. I knew their part of the city well because their house was half a block from my grandmother’s house. The address in the little phone book wasn’t the same one. This other address was, you might say, in a poorer part of town.

I wrote him a letter.

Well that’s not exactly true. I drove to the city with my dog in tow, parked down the street from the house, fake-walked my dog and waited until I saw him come out. Then I followed him to school and took his picture courtesy of my husband’s telephoto lens.* Then I felt it wasn’t fair. I knew who he was but he didn’t know who I was so then….

I wrote him a letter.

He later told me that when he called his adoptive father and left a message that I had contacted him, his adoptive father didn’t call him back for three days.

The first time I talked to him on the phone, the first time I spoke the simple words with a history behind them as large as the universe, “How are you?” he said, I had some trouble but I am alright now. He had fallen in with a band of thieving juveniles and had gotten into trouble with the law. At one point he was living in a group home. It was located in a large co-operative apartment building that had been built in the late sixties as kind of a hippie experiment.

You know who else used to live in that building?

Me.

It was the location of my first apartment after graduation from university. I moved out because the hippie experiment was nice in theory but not too good for practical things like building maintenance. But I digress.

I find this happens a lot with adoptees and birth parents. Their lives seem to interconnect. Pure coincidence? I doubt it.

I believe that there are bonds between a mother and child that cannot be cut.

If you are still looking or waiting to be acknowledged, don’t give up.

Peace

UM

* Somewhat disconcerting I know but desperate times call for desperate measures. I’d fake-walk that dog again in a minute if I had to.

Question: I am 16 years old and came to the U.S. many years ago when I was a small child. I have no legal status in the U.S. and have been put in foster care homes for what seems like all of my life. My father left when I was a baby and my mother has been in and out of rehab because she is a drug addict. Is there anything I can do to try to get legal status in the U.S.? I have no other family in the U.S. and am desperate.

Answer: Yes. You might qualify for what is known as the Special Immigrant Juvenile petition. Generally, this includes those juveniles deemed eligible for long-term foster care based on abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

Question: What are the basic requirements for this type of visa?

Answer: You would need the consent of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for all of these types of cases. There is also express consent required by a juvenile court showing dependency. Express consent means that the Secretary, through the CIS District Director, has determined that neither the dependency order nor the administrative or judicial determination of the alien’s best interest was sought primarily for the purpose of obtaining the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, rather than for the purpose of obtaining relief from abuse or neglect or abandonment. In other words, express consent is an acknowledgement that the request for this type of classification is real.

Question: Procedurally, what must I do to apply for this type of petition? Also, if I am successful, what does the approval of this petition mean?

Answer: This type of petition if approved will grant you lawful permanent residency in the U.S. In other words, you will be able to obtain the Green Card. First, the special immigrant petition must be filed by what is known as the I-360 Special Immigrant Petition. Because the petition must be approved before you turn 21 years of age, you should also simultaneously submit the Adjustment of Status Application to speed up the process.

Question: What type of documents do I need to help support the application?

Answer: The Form I-360 must be supported by the following: 1) Court order declaring dependency on the juvenile court or placing you under the custody of an agency or department of a State; 2) Court order deeming that you are eligible for long-term foster care due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment; 3) Determination from an administrative or judicial proceeding that it is in your best interest not to be returned to your country of nationality or last habitual residence; and 5) Proof of your age.

The Adjustment Application must also be supported by the following documentation: 1) Your birth certificate or other proof of identity; 2) A sealed medical examination; 3) Two ADIT-style color photographs; and, where applicable, also supported by evidence of inspection, admission or parole. Since you are over 14 years old, you must also submit a Form G-325A (Biographic Information) and if you have an arrest record, you must also submit certified copies of the records of disposition.

Question: What if I am inadmissible on some other ground?

Answer: Actually, with this type of petition, there are many provisions of the law that are excepted from inadmissibility statutes. Many of the other grounds of inadmissibility can be waived.

Since you have no other way to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident, you should start on this application as soon as possible.

“Their eyes watered, but two 15-year-olds otherwise remained stoic Wednesday as they shuffled off to prison for life for the beating deaths of two homeless men,” reported The Detroit News.

“Bound by handcuffs and leg irons, Thomas J. McCloud Jr. and Dontez Tillman betrayed few emotions as an Oakland County judge offered advice on surviving prison.Two 15-year-olds are headed to prison for life for beating two homeless men to death in an attack described as ’sport.’

“‘Don’t make any friends. Keep quiet and follow the rules. And hold your head up high,’ Visiting Judge Steven N. Andrews told the pair.”

La ceremonia de consagración de los nuevos voluntarios en Manizales

 “Ésta es la consolidación de un proceso de formación que se ha llevado durante años”, mencionó Jorge Enrique Morales, Director de las agrupaciones de Juventud y Socorrismo de la Seccional Caldas, quien con orgullo y en compañía de Pablo Felipe Patiño, Director Municipal de Juventud, hicieron posible la consagración de 81 voluntarios, entre Juveniles, Prejuveniles e Infantiles, de  Manizales. En el acto que se llevó a cabo el día 20 de noviembre en el auditorio de la Universidad Católica de Manizales  se hizo la entrega de estímulos como Mejor Voluntario Consagrando, Mejor Compañero y Mejor Instructor de la promoción 2009.

En esta jornada tan emotiva, los nuevos voluntarios Juveniles, muchos de los cuales empezaron en la Sección de Infantiles y Prejuveniles, recordaron momentos especiales que vivieron durante su largo proceso de formación y adquirieron la responsabilidad de proyectarse a la comunidad, fortaleciendo la esencia  de la agrupación y trabajando en favor de la acción humanitaria.

Información sobre este torneo FEMENINO en el que participan cuatro equipos de nuestro club. Suerte a todas y buen trabajo.

Nicole Beaudoin is a master’s candidate in the Professional Writing Program at UMass Dartmouth. Currently, she works with the University’s web team and teaches Business Communications as a TA. She has a passion for literature, writing and especially dogs.

Adolescence is a time in life for making mistakes and learning lessons to carry into adulthood. But for the thousands of juvenile offenders in our country’s prison system, adolescence is just part of their life sentence without parole. For many of these youths, one wrong decision has led them to live their entire lives behind bars for committing what officials call “adult crimes,” when in fact they do not even understand these crimes.

In the New York Times discussion forum “room for debate,” Mark Mauer, Executive Director of the Sentencing Project and the author of Race to Incarcerate, argues that sentencing children is inherently different than sentencing adults:

…children are different than adults. As the Supreme Court noted in its 2005 decision in Roper v. Simmons banning the death penalty for juveniles, children do not have fully matured levels of judgment or impulse control, and are more susceptible to peer pressure than adults.

Mauer says that children are “uniquely capable of change…No matter how serious a crime committed by a 13-year-old, there is no means of predicting what type of adult he or she will become in 10 or 20 years.”

While the crimes some juveniles have committed are very serious  – murder, rape, home invasion – many offenders twice their age commit the same crimes and serve minimal sentences and receive parole. Why don’t youths receive the same chance for change?

Recently, the Supreme Court heard arguments for two cases (neither of which involves murder) that bring up an interesting question: is sentencing a juvenile to life in prison without parole is a violation of the Eight Amendment, which prevents cruel and unusual punishment?

Some say yes, and hope the Court holds views similar to Justice Kennedy’s stance in Roper v. Simmons. They ask for recognition of the injustice in judging a life not yet developed. But, I think the courts still must look further into this discussion. They must look at all crimes committed by juveniles, even murder.

Sara Kruzan was convicted and sentenced to life without parole for murdering her pimp at age 16. She is now 29. Before and during her tumultuous teens, Sara was a model student and avid writer. She also suffered from severe depression and abuse from her drug addicted mother.  At age 11, she met a 31-year-old man, G.G., who befriended her and started grooming her for prostitution. For the next few years, she worked for G.G. while still attending school.

As she was sentenced, the judge told her she “lacked moral scruples.” Sara lacked the understanding of those words and of the severity of her actions. Throughout her sentence, Sara has educated herself on those words and others to build her character and learn from her mistakes. She is not the same girl that the judge sentenced all those years ago. Yet, she has no chance to show the courts her transformation. We can only see her through short heartfelt interview clips.

When I see Sara speak about her story with such honestly and integrity, I see an ethical, learned woman – not a heartless, immoral killer. If Sara has learned, others have as well. She changed her life through education and experience.

She and other juvenile offenders deserve a chance to change. Granted we need to look at their crimes but we must look more closely at the proper penalty they deserve. No one in their teens should be sentenced to a life of no possibilities.

Fachada de Outlet del Mueble

Nuestro horario

De Lunes a Viernes

10:00 a 13:00

17:00 a 19:00

        Ni un solo pitido en un fin de semana bastante relajado. El silbato no salió del cajón, de donde sí rescaté los banderines. En esta ocasión tocaba actuar de asistente. 

        Se trataba de un División de Honor Juvenil (Torrellano – Albacete), con un árbitro de Segunda B (Medina Méndez); un contexto sugerente de no ser por el viento persistente que surgió como molesto e incansable acompañante durante toda la mañana del domingo.

        El estadio de césped natural del Torrellano se encuentra en periodo de resiembra y otros apaños. Por ese motivo, el campo anexo de hierba sintética albergó el partido entre dos equipos con diferentes motivaciones; los locales aspiraban a colarse entre los mejores mientras el Albacete buscaba su primera victoria (hasta la fecha 3 empates y 5 derrotas), que desgraciadamente para ellos no llegaría.

        La citada ventisca condicionó el partido, pero sin llegar al extremo de plantearse la suspensión del mismo como ocurrió en algún estadio de la Comunitat el fin de semana. El balón dibujaba extrañas trayectorias, pero siempre en contra del Albacete que durante la primera mitad tuvo enfrente a un doble enemigo; los 11 hombres del Torrellano y las oleadas de aire que impedían cualquier pase en largo que intimidara a la defensa rival.

        La superioridad local, incrementada por la brisa favorable, pronto se plasmó en goles (3-0 al descanso). Dos de los tantos llegaron de penalti (claros ambos y apenas protestados). En la reanudación, los visitantes, ya con el viento de aliado, se toparon con una diferencia demasiado abultada. La remontada no fue posible pese a disponer de un penalti a favor (detenido por el portero) y ver como el Torrellano se quedaba con 10 (expulsado un defensa por doble amonestación). Para colmo la renta se ampliaría a balón parado (4-0 definitivo)

        Pocas veces un partido con 3 penaltis y una expulsión resultó tan poco polémico. Ambos equipos se marcharon conformes con el arbitraje. Personalmente, las sensaciones también fueron positivas; me situé en la banda de la grada (con el banquillo en frente). El vendaval evitó incursiones por mi parcela, por lo que el partido resultó tranquilo, y lo poco que hubo se saldó satisfactoriamente.

Superdeporte (olvida la expulsión)

Huye…

En 2 Timoteo2:22 Dice: Huye también de las pasiones juveniles, y sigue la justicia, la fe, el amor y la paz, con los de corazón limpio invocan al Señor.

Todo el mundo cree que huir es algo de cobardes o personas que no pueden combatir algo frente a frete, huir de situaciones o personas desagradables o que no nos gustan es algo normal, ahora bien cuando tenemos situaciones que nos gustan, tales como [...] una película con escenas eróticas o también páginas Pornográficas, es sumamente difícil huir de esto para la mayoría de las personas, y si lo ves desde el punto de vista de el mundo es algo como anormal [huir de eso].

Para poder huir de esto se tiene que ser… Ser un JOVEN CRISTIANO (Valiente). Un JOVEN CRISTIANO debe ser lo suficientemente valiente para nadar en contra de las aguas de este mundo.

Hablando de Pasiones… ¿qué es una Pasión?

Es un deseo fuerte por algo, un querer con constancia, y la palabra PASIÓN viene del griego EPITHUMIA que significa: Un fuerte deseo y una intensa inclinación por alguna cosa.

Las pasiones no siempre son malas, existen pasiones tanto buenas como malas; Un ejemplo de buenas pasiones es: Pasión por la música, Pasión por el estudio, Pasión por Cristo, Pasión por cualquier otra cosa que este en tu querer con constancia y que agrade a Dios.

En la Biblia tenemos a un JOVEN VALIENTE, este joven huyo de las pasiones juveniles, y este joven era Cristiano así que nado en contra de las corriente de este mundo y huyo cuando la Reina quería acostarse con él y serle infiel a su esposo, Dios bendijo a José por huir de las pasiones juveniles y obedecer Su Palabra.

En Génesis 39:2 Dice: Mas Jehová estaba con José, y fue varón próspero; y estaba en la casa de su amo el egipcio.

En 1 Timoteo 6:11 Nos Dice:

“Mas tú, Oh hombre de Dios, huye de estas cosas, y sigue la justicia, la piedad, la fe, el amor, la paciencia, la mansedumbre.”

Vemos que la palabra “HUYE” aparece de Nuevo y como vimos anteriormente huye en este caso es de valentía no de cobardía, la fe en estos momentos nos ayuda mucho a mantenernos en pie.

En 1 Timoteo 6:12 Dice: Pelea la Buena batalla de la fe, echa mano de la vida eterna, a la cual asimismo fuiste llamado, habiendo hecho la buena profesión delante de muchos testigos.

La FE nos mantiene en la batalla, nos ayuda a huir y al huir nos permite no crear malos pensamientos, y huir de esto es un acto de valentía.

Volvamos a  2 Timoteo 2:22: Aquí nos dice que Huyamos de las pasiones juveniles. Les preguntare algo…

¿Cuál es tu pasión?

Estas luchando la batalla de fe contra tu pasión… ?

Estas haciendo lo que dice este versículo… ?

Estas huyendo de las pasiones juveniles… ?

Si no lo estas haciendo, ¡hazlo ahora que aun hay tiempo!

Te quiero decir algo, si has caído en una de las pasiones juveniles y se que es difícil salir de allí, pero quiero que sepas que Jesús el que murió y resucitó, solo El puede ayudarte a salir de allí, y sólo el puede darte las fuerza necesarias para huir. Y Recuerda algo siempre…

“HUYE TAMBIÉN DE LAS PASIONES JUVENILES”

Saturday, November 7th

I’ve begun a new job.  I am managing a group home in the North Metro of Minneapolis.  My clients are between the ages of 18-21, mildly retarded, with various mental health diagnoses.  This is the end of week one, and I have already had to reprimand an employee and restrict a client’s privileges.

Maybe you understand.  I want people to like me.  I don’t like being the “bearer of bad news” or the new tyrant on the block.  But, I am doing what I think is right and fair. Sometimes I second guess myself.  Did I handle that well?  Could I have been a bit more understanding?  I am reaching deep inside myself to be firm and yet compassionate.

So, I’m working with the Little Rascals.   Sometimes I feel exhausted by just how much attention they crave.  They have been in and out of group homes, detention centers, hospitals, treatment centers.  Some have dead beat parents.  They have been abused emotionally, verbally and psychologically.

Monday, November 9th, 3PM

One of my guys is furious with me today because I restricted him.  He has made it clear that he’s going to make my life a living hell.  And that’s exactly what he is doing–cursing at the top of his lungs and banging walls.  He’s the oldest and he’s very good at dragging the others into his mayhem.

I just heard glass breaking.  Turns out, it was a window breaking.  One of the guys was tapping out a rap beat and tapped just a little too hard.  He felt badly and wanted to know if he was in trouble.  He said it was an accident and I believe him.

It’s the other one I’m worried about.

Not sure this job is right for me.  It’s stressful.  But I’m going to stick it out for a while.  Hey, at least I will have some interesting stories to tell, right?

5PM

On my break I drove to the store and picked up some cigarettes.  I came back to find everyone, including my support staff in the front yard.  They were all yelling something.  I came around the side of the house and found another broken window.  This one was intentional–knocked out with a broom handle.

I didn’t say anything to my client who broke the window.  Honestly, I don’t know how I am going to handle this one.  While the other guys went to the library, I hung back with him and talked.  He calmed down and finally expressed some remorse for what he had done.

7PM

I was almost home this evening when my support staff called.  A consumer was AWOL.  I turned my car around and began searching the thoroughfares and streets on the way to the group home.  No luck.  When I arrived back home the police had already arrived.  After we had nearly completed the report, my client returned home.  He had run home.  I breathed a sigh of relief.

All in a day’s work.  But why did it feel like a week!

The Supreme Court on Monday began hearing arguments on two cases involving life-without-parole sentences for juvenile offenders. In Graham v. Florida, Terrance Graham pled guilty to burglary and assault or battery. He was sentenced to probation, but then at the age of 17, he was arrested for home-invasion robbery and eluding police. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for violating probation.

The upcoming decision has implications for social psychology because of presumptions about the impact of prison on rehabilitation, as well as the potential distinction between young (highly transformable) and older minds.  

While the Court seems to be leaning toward allowing for a legal distinction between adults and juveniles in sentencing guidelines, Justice Scalia expressed early dissent, suggesting that sentencing is not only for deterrence: “One of the purposes is retribution, punishment for just perfectly horrible actions.”

But the judge who sentenced Mr. Graham did not seem to have retribution in mind when he told the boy, “I don’t understand why you would be given such a great opportunity to do something with your life and why you would throw it away … if I can’t do anything to get you back on the right path, then I have to start focusing on the community and trying to protect the community from your actions.”

The New York Times published an editorial expressing disapproval of such strict sentences for children. While Roberts and Gebotys (2006) found that “the public is more concerned with the principle of just deserts than with the utilitarian sentencing aims,” there is little support for sentencing a child for life. In fact, Scott, Reppucci, Antonishak and DeGennaro (2006) found that adults in their study believe there is a significant and consequential difference between juveniles and adults, and that sentences should reflect that difference.

Generally in our society we do not allow children to vote, drink alcohol, join the military, sign contracts, have sex, drive, etc. The research has proven that children are not fully developed yet. In other words, they are not adults. However, if they commit a certain crime then we do allow them to be sent to prison for life without parole. It is difficult to understand why that should be found constitutional, unless revenge and retribution is the goal. In the two cases the High Court heard today, no deaths were involved. One was a rape case and the other was a robbery case. It is not that these are trivial offenses because they are not. On the other hand, if this is a Christian nation (as some claim) then where is the forgiveness, transformation, rehabilitation or finally growing up?

The Supreme Court appeared split Monday along familiar ideological lines over whether the Constitution forbids locking up forever juveniles whose crimes fall short of homicide. Click here for the entire article.

Does this constitute “HATE CRIME”?:

BY DIANA MOSKOVITZ

dmoskovitz@MiamiHerald.com

Este fin de semana hemos tenido el primer conacto con la competición de una manera amistosa. Es decir, que hemos tenido dos partidos contra el tximistarri, uno entre los equipos senior y otro entre los equipos juveniles. Pordría decirse que el primer contacto ha sido bueno, ya que nos ha servido para darnos cuenta de que queda mucho trabajo por hacer y muchas asperezas que limar. Pero sobre todo lo bueno has sido que por fin nos hemos juntado prácticamente todo el equipo masculino a la vez. Aquí tenéis una foto, estos días añadiré aquí mismo algunas más que saqué durante el domingo.

Estos días las pondré tranquilos.