The Beat Within

Since 1996, TBW has been committed to its mission to provide incarcerated youth with a forum where they can write about the things that matter to them, explore how they have lost connection with those things they value, and consider how they might re-connect to positive situations in their lives through the power of written word and visual art. TBW’s primary commitment is to provide detained youth with a weekly writing, art and conversation workshop that provides them with a safe space to share their ideas and experiences while promoting literacy, expression, critical thinking skills, and supportive relationships with the community. Above all, we seek to demonstrate to incarcerated youth the power and validity of their stories.

TBW shares the stories of youth from broken families, ethnic-minority backgrounds, and low-income families who have never had a positive vehicle of self-expression. The magazine embodies the spirit of community and family that youth are deprived of while in confinement. It is the first time many young participants realize an identity for themselves that is beyond criminal or gang-related. Youth discover that they can be writers and have a safe place to express their feelings and thoughts.

In this, The Beat Within's 20th year, we intend to publish a dynamic, engaging, beautiful Beat Within book that reflects the high standards of our bi-weekly publication and commemorates 20 years of exquisite, heartbreaking, honest, awe-inspiring artwork, poetry and prose.

Legendary San Francisco publisher City Lights Books has agreed to publish this celebration of the creativity and wisdom of our most marginalized youth, but, in order to make this dream a reality, The Beat Within needs to raise $50,000.

Please help us reach this goal!

Consider a donation, large or small, to help fund our exciting project and give generations of Beat Within writers the affirmation they deserve.