In the summer of 2011 a group of students joined the Born For Greatness Youth Writers program, under the impression that they were simply taking a writing class. Little did they know that there was a much greater purpose for them. In the BFG Youth Writers class, the students learned how to cultivate their writing skills, but there was also an awakening in them as they recognized the greater purpose for the program. They learned that they were joining a movement to empower, uplift and invoke consciousness within the human race. The students learned that there is power in their words & their gift of writing. So on their journey to become more confident in themselves and their gifts, the writing that they produced became more and more powerful and thought provoking. Often adults don't listen to what comes from the mouths of young people, because adults are usually busy trying to put words into their mouths. As you read through this book, you will be pleasantly surprised at how insightful, intelligent and awakened many of our young people really are In this book the BFG Youth Writers share their voices with the world, and speak for their generation as they boldly proclaim: "We Are Not A Lost Cause: The Youth Speak ." Tamara Shirer, Founder & CEO of Born For Greatness Youth Empowerment Resources. "Tamara Shirer has assisted tremendously with providing quality content and insightful articles for Arete Magazine. Her leadership in coaching and mentoring a children's journalism club has enabled the youth to be heard and memorialized in print within our publication. Our readers enjoy the perspective of young journalist who are engaged and aware with Tamara at the helm of their development. Her participation has been a Godsend and she is a wonder worker with teaching youth the art of finding their voice and unleashing their creativity." Monica O. Montgomery, Publisher & Editor In Chief of Arete Magazine: Inspiring Generosity as a Lifestyle