The Rose that grew from concrete Released by: Shannon Munford M.A. Web Site: http://www.daybreakservices.com A story of how foster youth excell inspite of hardship Email: day_breakllc@yahoo.com Keywords: anger management, youth delinquency, foster youth, gang violence, trouble teens Update Date: 1/25/2007 10:03:08 AM Hits: 334 Descrption:  When no one even cared The rose it grew from concrete Keepin all these dreams Provin nature's laws wrong It learned how to walk without havin feet It came from concrete Did you hear.. Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Provin nature's laws wrong It learned to walk without having feet Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams it learned to breathe FRESH air Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else, even cared You see you wouldn't ask why the rose that grew from the concrete had damaged petals. On the contrary, we would all celebrate its tenacity. We would all love it's will to reach the sun. Well, we are the rose - this is the concrete - and these are my damaged petals. Don't ask me why, thank God nigga, ask me how! Hahahaha. Tupac Shakur Tupac Shakur has become a modern day martyr for many of today’s urban youth. He was more than a gangster rapper. He was a poet who spoke to the pain and hopelessness of a people. In September 1996 Tupac was tragically murdered in a hail of gunfire. The rose that grew from concrete speaks of those who surface from tragedy into triumph. If Tupac saw a rose I walked through a rose garden last night. The United Friends of the Children is a non-profit organization that provides support services to more than 2,000 current and former foster youth each year. UFC works to provide foster youth with the opportunity to finish high school, find housing, attend college and build the skills to support themselves. Last night I had the opportunity to discuss anger management with about 30 inspiring young people. In a society in which youth are demonized it was a breath of fresh air to see a group young adults focused and poised for the future. The young men and women I met with were between the ages of 18-23 years old. They lived in a multi-unit apartment complex rented out to emancipated foster youth. Many of the youth have traversed a life polluted by drug abuse, sexual abuse, gang violence neglect and abandonment. At some point they were all removed from their family of origin and placed in foster homes or group homes. Now at 18 they were forced to fend for themselves as “adults”. Instead of a group of angry, bitter rebels I found a cohesive group of funny, optimistic certified nurses, child care workers, administrative assistants, food service workers, university students and future military men. Last night I walked through a rose garden. I saw branches firm and reaching, hues bright and assorted and experienced the sweet aroma of future success.