The Kite

 
 

{Kite}: prison parlance for letters

We all have a story to tell…

 
 

Current Programs

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THE KITE @ City College

 
 

Horizons and Crossroads Juvenile Facilities

In-person workshops at HJC:

  • Literacy and Mentorship with Columbia MFA Grad Students

  • 3-Credit College Course from Hunter

  • OSHA 40- Hour Safety Training with HOSTOS

In-Person Workshops at CJC

  • Literacy and Mentorship with Columbia MFA Grad Students

  • OSHA 40- Hour Safety Training with HOSTOS

  • Dog Care and Walking Work Pathways

Rikers Island

In-Person Classes at Rikers

  • Literacy and Mentorship with Columbia MFA Grad Students at multiple facilities

After-Care

PAID Internship Program

This paid Internship program includes work with the following:

  • Journalism and Podcasting

  • Job Conditioning: On-the-job training with small businesses

  • Personal Brand Marketing

UNICEF COHORT

Our fifth cohort with UNICEF is focusing on sustainable goals of fair education, climate change, and social justice.

College Immersion

Students interested in pursuing or learning about college attend immersive workshops with college students, professors, and advisors. Those who wish to enroll receive help with:

  • FAFSA Application (with both parent + Student)

  • Documentation Corraling

  • College Application Process

  • Scholarship + Grant Application Process

  • Course + Major Selection Mentoring

 
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MAP LEAGUE

The Kite’s basketball team was killing it on the court in the 2020 MAP League. But no sweat, guys! We’ll be back on the court soon!

 

Writing is freedom…

“We write to contemplate on what we’ve been through because it sharpens our focus on where we’d like to go.”—-Gigi Blanchard, ED

There is healing in sharing our stories. We strive to create safe spaces on the inside where students can open up about the painful things that are often bottled up until they explode. Listening is a significant part of our job.

Our re-entry efforts include a networking behind bars series where we bring professionals to talk to students about how they broke into their fields. Mentorships created behind bars continue once the students return to the community.

 

3K +

Over 2K books donated

With the community’s help, we’ve brought thousands of novels, memoirs, YA, poetry and self-help books to our people on lockdown.

 

2K+

1k + Journals Donated

The average commissary sells notebooks for triple the price. All students receive a journal so that they can use their $ to buy sustenance for the body while we provide sustenance for the mind.

 
 

8,318+

New York’s Daily Jail Pop

Combined with hundreds more youth in the various detention centers. We have a lot of work to do!

 
 

Impacted by the justice system?

 

Submit Writing

We would love to hear your stories whether you’ve been incarcerated, worked in the system or are related to someone involved. Send work to thekitezine@gmail.com.

OPEN-MICS

Are you a musician, DJ, MC, Storyteller or spoken word artist? We invite pros to perform along side our student and to attend classes throughout the critique process. Hit us up! thekitezine@gmail.com

 
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October 2017

In jail, people like to use your past against you but there’s healing power in sharing our truths. Nobody can use what I went through as a weapon now. -T.S. on Rikers Island

 

 
 

Get Involved

 

Sign Up

To be informed of public zines and open-mics

Volunteer opportunities

From typing stories to building them, we can use your help!

Make a Donation

We cannot make this ripple a wave without you!