Last month, students at the Juvenile Detention Home got a special visitor when published author and original freedom writer Maria Reyes stopped by the facility to  share her story of personal change through literature and writing, in addition to how education helped her find the courage to leave her gang and complete college.

Each student received an autographed copy of The Freedom Writers Diary. Student reactions to Reyes message of tolerance and hope can be found at http://room5c.blogspot.com, which also features other recent writings by the students.