By Sharon Tse
In less than the time it takes to finish your cup of coffee, the 2-minute Eye on Detroit piece that aired recently on CBS captures the essence of what Lost Voices is all about – giving a voice to kids who have been abused, neglected, trafficked and marginalized in ways that are unthinkable for most of us.
You may think these kids have little to do with you, or your own children. But there’s a much finer line between them – between any of us – than you may realize. I look at those kids, and I know they could easily be me. The difference is actually pretty easy to explain: I had people around me who showed me they cared. Who spent time with me. Who helped me see that I could make different choices. And that I was worth making those choices.
I also had a guitar and a pen. With these, I had a voice. A positive, powerful way to express the typical emotions teenagers feel regardless of where we grow up or what we have. And a way to come to terms with deeper emotions and experiences that may not be so ‘typical.’ Like being the victim of a violent crime, or watching people get shot around me.
Simply put, Lost Voices works with at-risk kids to show them they matter, and to help them find their voices through music and songwriting. Yes, ‘at-risk’ kids can lack socio-economic status or education, and are often defined by the misconceptions and ignorance of stereotypes or hate.
But the real definition of any ‘at-risk’ child in my mind is one who lacks the ability, opportunity or freedom to make the most basic of choices that lead to better things. These kids – kids like yours or mine, or those who seem to be in the news almost every day – who feel anger, loss, belittled or betrayed in some way. These are the kids who bully others, who take out their frustrations and feelings of self-doubt through social media or with guns. But these are still kids. And they are redeemable. I know because I am living proof.
So, next time you have a cup of coffee, take two minutes to watch the Eye on Detroit spot and find out more about Lost Voices. You’ll still have some time to spare before it gets cold. But those two minutes can change all our lives.
