“The writing and art contained here will redefine the boundaries of your mind and heart. The bravery, honesty, and courage these artists express will inspire your own capacity for these. Remarkable talent shines from beneath the undeserved burdens of a systemically unjust system and transforms pain and isolation into belonging and art.”
—Lindsay Hill, author of Sea of Hooks and Tidal Lock and PEN Center USA fiction award winner
“Home and Away brims with heart, resilience, and power. Young artists’ thoughts, experiences, ideas, and truth are represented in this compilation. When young people create, talk, and emote, we need to listen.”
—Llyr Heller, Senior Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library
“Home and Away provides visceral and compelling work that will capture your heart and mind. The PATHfinder Club provides a safe and comforting space for students to be their genuine selves, and that is so evident in this wonderful book. The writing and artwork they share provide a deep look into the complexity of the feelings and experiences of our youth. Absolutely stunning work.”
—Michael Lopes Serrao, Superintendent, Parkrose School District
“I am profoundly moved by the words and images in Home and Away, offered with such honesty by the young people of The PATHfinder and POPS Clubs. Their stories underscore the power of the arts to heal and to transform, creating a beautiful, life-giving community across schools around our country. The PATHfinder and POPS Clubs stand as a model for all schools.”
—Susan Canjura, Linked Learning Director, Los Angeles Unified School District
“Home and Away is a heartfelt, vulnerable, and powerful collection. The creators’ voices resonate with wisdom, resilience, and pride through this compilation of art and writing. Their raw and authentic stories and artistic expressions offer a profound glimpse into their lives. Prepare to be moved by the honesty and strength in this remarkable work—an inspiring reflection of courage and creativity.”
—Molly Ouche, Principal, Parkrose High School
“I am always moved, inspired, and in awe of the talent that is on display within these anthologies. This year is no different. I firmly believe that the work The Pathfinder Network is doing is invaluable and is making our world a better, more equitable place. And to the brilliant and brave young people whose work graces these pages, thank you. Your words give me hope.”
—Bernardo Cubría, playwright and screenwriter
“Home and Away is a uniquely personal reflection of the times we are living in as well as the often-invisible struggles of the young people who make up our communities. The strength, wisdom, and raw emotion that runs through these stories is impossible to ignore. What is shared within these pages will leave you in awe and full of hope for our generations to come.”
—Jesus Gonzales, juvenile court counselor, Portland, Oregon
“Home and Away blew me away! Each piece shows strength, voice, humor, and wisdom. This book reveals such a wide spectrum of experiences and feelings about home, struggle, self, and resilience that every person who picks it up is sure to find something that resonates with their heart. I know it will fly off our library shelves!”
—Em Winokur, Teacher-Librarian, Parkrose High School
“‘Wow’ is the best way to describe my thoughts after viewing the artwork and reading the thoughts and feelings expressed in the essays, poems, and stories the young adults have shared in Home and Away. We need to remember that we are all human beings and that a smile, a kind word, or a simple gesture may be the spark needed to change a life, a reminder that hope is alive. The PATHfinder and POPS Clubs should spread worldwide. The youth of today are our future.”
—Mary Saldate, Administrator, Madera Unified School District, Madera High School
“Home and Away is a beautiful collection of stories, poetry, and art created by extraordinary youth. It is an essential read that offers important lessons on belonging and marginalization. Reading this is an absolute must for all. It will simultaneously expand, touch, break, and mend your heart.”
—Naomi Ackerman, founder and Executive Director, Advot
“This collection will either confirm or reaffirm your faith in youth. The many voices collected in Home and Away are poetic, artful, alive, and necessary. They are inextinguishable. This is a book for anyone who has ever believed in any young person, despite their circumstances or—perhaps—because of them.”
—Joshua Bott, educator and poet, Parkrose High School
“The voices in Home and Away resonate so deeply because they remind us of the challenges of growing up in a world that is, far too often, harrowing. ‘I come from not knowing when to bite my tongue,’ one of these young authors writes. When I read these words, I remember how vital it is to celebrate young people speaking honestly and out loud. And I remember how important it is to listen and to be there. Please read this volume, look and listen, and pay attention.”
—Karen Friedman, retired family nurse practitioner and adolescent health specialist
“The US carceral system’s impact on the families of those caught in its grasp is deep and profound. Severed connections perpetuate intergenerational trauma and contribute to cycles of poverty. The young people who give voice to their experiences, emotions, and thoughts in Home and Away are triumphant in their courage, tenderness, and strength. Against the odds, and with the support of The PATHfinder and POPS Clubs, they are finding hope, possibility, and purpose.”
—Wendy Jason, founder of the Justice Arts Coalition
“Both the title and the content of ‘Heartbreaks and Dreams,’ one of the pieces in the fantastic anthology Home and Away, capture the complexity and beauty surfaced in these pages. Full of creativity, passion, and insight, this collection is a wonderful sampling of student voices and a testament to the thoughtful commitment of The PATHfinder and POPS Clubs’ staff, teachers, and mentors.”
—Kristin Walrod, Executive Director, Yarg Foundation
“Finding a voice at any age is hard; putting it down on paper even harder. But sharing it with the public, that takes real courage. The work by the teens in Home and Away comes from a generation with nothing but obstacles in front of them—many enduring the loss of loved ones to incarceration, deportation, and other challenges. This book is not only a testament to the critical work being accomplished by organizations like The PATHfinder and POPS Clubs, it is a legacy these kids have earned. It deserves a wide audience.”
—Diane Botnick, author of the upcoming novel More (Fall 2025)
“Divided into 12 thematic chapters, the work’s varied contents—from photographs to acrostic poems—showcase the nearly 100 different creators’ emotional and intimate deep dives into their motivations, hopes, and goals. A common theme running through their work is the experience of being affected by the U.S. carceral system. . . . It’s gratifying to see multiple pieces by the same creators appear, highlighting their introspection and providing a roundness to their contributions that would not be present if readers had only one opportunity to interact with their works. The poetry of Genalyn Guerrero, from Venice High School in Los Angeles, is particularly strong and threads throughout the text in a way that allows readers to feel they are following the writer’s journey.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Wow! Home and Away is a powerful book, and I especially love the ‘I Come From’ poem by the Parkrose High PATHfinder Club students. I am blown away by the honesty and vulnerability expressed in this poem. The fact that our students are willing to share and be this open really speaks to the importance of The PATHfinder Club on our campus. It takes a lot of trust to get students to open up like this. Bravo!”
—Kenny Keys, Assistant Principal, Parkrose High School
“Home and Away is a deeply moving testament to the power of expression and resilience. Each piece of writing and artwork invites readers into the hearts and minds of young people navigating their personal journeys, sharing their struggles, and celebrating their triumphs. Many of these young artists live in a world where they are often unseen and unheard, and this collection serves as a powerful remedy—bringing their voices, stories, and perspectives into the light. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to connect with the raw, unfiltered voices of the next generation.”
—Chris Mathias, member, Idaho House of Representatives, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, and Women’s Justice Commission