When a 12th-grade student found himself in trouble with the law after being caught graffitiing last November, his life took a sudden turn. His parents restricted his activities—no more video games, outings with friends, or after-school hangouts. Left with only his guitar for solace, the young musician spent his free time playing music. However, it wasn't until the district attorney referred him to PESA's diversion program that his real journey of transformation began.
Assigned a case manager through PESA, the student embarked on a rehabilitation process that encouraged reflection rather than punishment. Frequent meetings with his case manager helped him process the incident, discuss his emotions, and chart a way forward. After being found culpable for his actions, he was given a unique task: write a song about his experience.
Through these sessions, the case manager uncovered the youth’s deep passion for music. Recognizing this as an opportunity for growth, PESA guided him to express himself through a song. As he put it, "I wanted to let my guitar do the talking, so I focused less on vocals and more on expressing the emotions through the music. The song starts fast, then breaks down, reflecting the moment the cops arrived and the chaos in my mind."
Despite playing guitar for eight years, the student admitted that writing the song was a challenge, especially since it was his first composition and his first experience playing with others. Yet, the process became a form of self-expression and healing. Over the course of six months, his time with PESA allowed him to reflect on the damage caused by his actions. Alongside his father, he took matters into his own hands, going to Home Depot to buy paint remover and clean the graffiti from the walls.
Reflecting on his time with PESA, he said, "If you struggle to stay on top of things, this program is really helpful. They teach you tips and tricks to manage both emotionally and mentally. It almost feels like therapy—while you still have to face what you did, it helps you get through your case and feel better about the situation."
Now entering his senior year, the student is looking forward to graduating and pursuing a career as a union carpenter. He’s also eager to continue exploring his musical talents, with hopes of performing live shows in the future. With the help of PESA, he found not just accountability, but a pathway to personal growth.
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