We discovered years ago in our work with these children that their writings and art often portray powerful messages of transformation and hope, along with the messages of tragedy and torture. Our young people have performed dramatic shows like Broken Wings Can Fly through which they are able to reveal their journeys in skits and songs and turn "ashes to beauty". These powerful portrayals have touched audiences through the years, and have shown the children that their suffering has value when they reveal their inner discoveries in artistic form.

My name is Jason and I want to tell you my story.

When I was little, my mom and dad would always hit me and they would take bad pictures of me. They did not care about me and told me I was worthless. They would lock me in a chicken cage because I would try to run away from their abuse. My mom would pull my hair and curse at me, telling me that I would never have a good life and I would be worthless.

My dad would beat me with a baseball bat and he would hardly feed me anything. When my mom and dad would go to work, my brother would take bad pictures of my sisters, brothers, and me. He would send them to be bought by people.

I finally got away from my house. My brothers, sisters and I tore down the side of the chicken coop and escaped. My hand was bleeding badly. We went to a church across the street from where we were living. I was bleeding really badly from my head where my mom had hit me. I still have a scar on my head today from way back then. I told the people about the abuse, they called the police and I was finally picked up by CPS. I was six years old when I left that place. I just turned sixteen this year.

After we were picked up, we went to a shelter. We were glad to be away from the abuse, but we were also scared. I was at the shelter for two months and then moved to a foster home. The kids at the new foster home were mean to me and would sic their dog on me and my brother. Then just my brother and I went to another foster home and stayed for a year and a half. We were happy there and the family was good to us, but we had to leave there because someone in their family passed away.

It was then that I went to Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram. I was 8 years old. There was Mike Wood and I jumped in his lap when I first saw him because I felt like I was welcome at Hill Country and I liked the place. Later my brother joined me at Hill Country. I lived at Terry Cabin and really liked it because every time we did good the houseparent would give us treats.

Later on I moved to Big Springs Ranch for Children. There were only 10 children on the Ranch at that time. I really liked living at Big Springs in Cailloux House with the boys. I started school in the library because the school buildings had not been built yet.

Four years ago I met Will Wolfe. I knew that he and I would get along. We played football together. I got a TV for Christmas and the movie "Elf", and also got to see snow for the first time ever.

My life when I was little was really sad and full of pain. I am so glad that we escaped and that CPS got us. That changed my life and for that I am grateful. If it had not been for us escaping and running to the church across the street, we probably would have died from the abuse. CPS saved my life.

If you ask me if I miss my mom and dad, I will tell you no.

I have a different family now.

This is my family.

Ranch Youth Contribute Art, Poetry, Music to Awareness Vigil