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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Mercurio from San Francisco CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Mercurio is requesting

Empowering Incarcerated Youth Through Literature

Help me give my students books that are relevant to their lives and engaging for authentic writing tasks.

  • 1 donor
  • $351 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

My Project

Many youth in juvenile hall find themselves disconnected from traditional literature that fails to reflect their own experiences and struggles. Recognizing this, the incarcerated youth have expressed a strong interest in obtaining copies of "Smile Now, Cry Later" by Freddy Negrete, a memoir that resonates deeply with their lives. This gripping narrative follows Freddy Negrete's journey from his early days as a member of a notorious gang to his transformation into a respected tattoo artist and addiction counselor. Through his story, these incarcerated youth find a reflection of their own struggles, aspirations, and the resilience that lies within them.

"Smile Now, Cry Later" offers a unique perspective that many of these incarcerated youth can relate to.

It delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the consequences of one's choices—themes that are all too familiar to them. By providing access to this memoir, we aim to engage these youth in meaningful dialogue about their own lives and choices, fostering self-reflection and personal growth.

The acquisition of 12 copies of "Smile Now, Cry Later" will directly impact the lives of the youth incarcerated in juvenile hall. Through reading and discussing this memoir, they will not only find validation for their own experiences but also gain insights into resilience, transformation, and the power of self-discovery. By supporting this project, you are empowering these young individuals to explore their identities, make positive choices, and envision a brighter future beyond the confines of their current circumstances.

Ms. Mercurio
Grades 9-12

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Smile Now, Cry Later: Guns, Gangs, and Tattoos-My Life in Black and Gray • Amazon Business $20.18 12 $242.16

Materials cost

$242.16

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $22.16

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.63

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$297.95

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$52.58

Total project goal

$350.53

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $350.53

1 Donor

-$350.53

Donations toward project cost

-$297.95

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$52.58

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Mercurio and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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