Sowing Seeds of Love

Jetson Center for Youth’s Rising Stars Choir

Jetson Center for Youth (JCY) has released a CD of original music written and performed by its choir.  JCY is a secure care facility for adjudicated youth near Baton Rouge.  In what may be the nation’s first professionally produced recording of music by youth housed at a secure facility, the CD reflects a unique partnership of incarcerated youth and staff members.

Sowing Seeds of Love: Jetson Sings/Jetson Speaks, is an exciting project that showcases the Jetson Center for Youth’s (JCY) Rising Stars Choir.  It provides a unique avenue for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life at JCY.

The choir is comprised of both youth and staff, whose talent in singing and songwriting come to life in a professionally produced multi-media CD that presents several original songs. A look inside and frank discussion by youth about their life at Jetson may be experienced via a mini-documentary on the same disc entitled Jetson Speaks. 

The title comes from “Sowing Seeds of Love in Our Community,” JCY’s restorative justice project.  Youth grew ivy plants in the Jetson greenhouse to give as Mother’s Day gifts to their mothers or significant women in their lives, and nursing home residents.  Restorative justice service projects provide an opportunity for incarcerated youth to make meaningful contributions to families and communities.

Juvenile Justice Reform

In the recent past, Louisiana’s system of juvenile justice was considered one of the nation’s worst.  Reform efforts, begun in the late 1990s, became a priority in Louisiana under Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Working with national partners, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Office of Youth Development developed and implemented radical changes.   

With the introduction of the LA MOD program (Louisiana Juvenile Justice Secure Care Model) in 2005, juvenile secure care in Louisiana became therapeutic, treatment- and child-centered.  The LA MOD system is based on an ideal of trust between incarcerated youth and the staff who care for them.  Building relationships and problem-solving as a team are the keys to the success of the program.  

Today, Louisiana is seen as a national leader in juvenile justice reform. 

Sowing Seeds of Love is a reflection of the philosophy behind Louisiana’s approach to juvenile justice secure care.  Youth and staff worked together as a team to perform their music.  The recording is a unique collaboration between youth, staff and community partners, a project that embodies OYD’s vision and values.  It is living proof that our reform efforts are meeting with success.  Such a project would have been unthinkable in the days before the reforms were put into place.

This CD is a concrete representation of OYD’s beliefs and values:

We believe:

All youth are valuable individuals who are worthy of respect and kindness.

All youth are capable of learning and making healthy decisions.

All youth should have a safe environment in which to live, grow and learn.

We value:

The commitment, expertise and professionalism of our staff.

The continued safety and care of the youth and the public of Louisiana.

The families, the community and other partnerships that instill productive and positive changes in our youth. 

This project would not have been possible without the partnership of members of the community.  The youth witnessed the work of community partners whose services on their behalf made the recording possible.  They learned how to give to others without expecting anything in return. 

Thanks to community partners and staff

Thanks to many people for working together to make this project a reality: 

No public funds were expended on this project.  All the musicians and professionals donated their time and services, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation defrayed cost of duplication of the CD, generously discounted by Ultra Entertainment of Gilbert, Arizona.

The production was made possible by the donation of a tremendous amount of time and expertise by three young professionals.   They were assisted during editing and production by several friends who served as associate producers.

Michael Russo, producer and audio engineer (recording, editing/mix down), is a 2005 graduate of the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. 

Award winning filmmaker Clay Achee, producer and videographer, is a 2006 graduate of the Savannah (Georgia) College of Art and Design. He took the 2006 Best of Show and First Place Documentary, and 2007 First Place Music Video in the MAGA Film Festival in Macon, Georgia.

Production manager Elena Russo is a 2006 graduate of Louisiana State University, with a Bachelor’s degree in theater design/technology.

Recording and editing took place while Michael and Elena Russo were on leave from their jobs in the technical division of the Norwegian Cruise Lines/America ship, Pride of Hawaii, based in Honolulu.  Clay Achee, of Baton Rouge, works in the film industry.

Recorded at Magnolia Full Gospel Baptist Church in St. Francisville, pastored by Prophet Milton Coats. The congregation provided volunteers and lots of nourishment.

Martha Munizzi and Say The Name Publishing allowed the choir to record her song “Because of Who You Are.”

Jetson staff member Anne Carter caught rehearsals and the recording session on film.  The CD case features her photo of the JCY entrance sign.   

Becky Richardson, OYD Central Office, embroidered logos on the uniforms for staff and youth.

OYD Probation/Parole Officers made home visits to some parents to obtain permission for their children to participate in this project.

Bob Grace of Vestige Audio-Video, Baton Rouge, donated the use of recording equipment.

The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge is the grantor for the JCY Rising Stars Arts program under which arts classes are taught at Jetson.  Youth Matthews B. created the cover art in an arts class funded by the Arts Council.

Thanks to Jetson’s management team, Directors John Anderson, Cathy Fontenot, and Gene Perkins and Deputy Directors Frances Bailey, Daron Brown, Joseph Harris and Lewis North for their support of the project.   

Talent is evident at JCY

A tremendous amount of artistic talent resides behind the gates of JCY. Both youth and staff members shared their gifts in recording the CD.   

All selections are original, with lyrics written, arranged and performed by a youth or a staff member, with the exception of “Because of Who You Are” (recorded with permission from Martha Munizzi and Say The Name Publishing).

Selections:

Only One
Lyrics and lead vocalist: Youth Andrew Williams
Arranged by Andrew Williams and staff Ben Groover

Still Alive
Lyrics and lead vocalist: Seletar Gosa
Raps written and performed by Delvis Fountain, Seron Grayer and Issac Thomas 

Victory
Lyrics: Frances Bailey 
Arranged by Frances Bailey and Ben Groover
Raps written and performed by Seron Grayer and Delvis Fountain  

Striving to be the Best
Lyrics: Frances Bailey
Arranged by Frances Bailey and Ben Groover
Lead vocalists: Adrian Morlan, Jeremy Harrison, Andrew Williams and Sequille Heatley 

Because of Who You Are
Written by Martha Munizzi/Say The Name Publishing
Lead vocalist: Andrew Williams

Praying Time
Lyrics and lead vocalist: Frances Bailey
Arranged by Frances Bailey and Ben Groover

Choir Members  

Members of the JCY Rising Stars Choir who performed for the recording are:

Youth:
Kelvin Augustine
Kendrick Bell
Roger Bivalacqua
Steven Cook
Trailand Dartez
Delvis Fountain
Seron Grayer
Jeremy Harrison
Sequille Heatley
Jordan Horton
Malcolm Martin
Adrian Morlan
Issac Thomas
Keiwayttan Turner
Andrew Williams

Staff:
Choir Director: Ben Groover, LCSW, LSU Health Science Center
Area 3 Deputy Director Frances Bailey
Ethel L. Dawson, LPN, LSUHSC
Yolanda Ellis, Central Office, Director of Volunteer Services
Captain Seletar Gosa
Master Sgt. Evelyn Jarvis
Master Sgt. Kelly Johnson
Sgt. Kenyatta Jones
Major Joan King
Master Sgt. Sheletha Loyd Moore
Chaplain Patricia Williams
Lt. Andrea Young.   

Musicians:
Ben Groover, keyboard
Lisa Hardy, percussion
Daniel Harris, organ
Tremaine Mitchell, bass guitar. 

Executive producers:
Yolanda Ellis, OYD Director of Volunteer Services
Jerel M. Giarrusso, OYD Communications Director   

The recording is not for sale.  It will be given as a gift to juvenile justice stakeholders, public officials, parents and interested supporters. 

For information, contact the OYD Communications Office, tel. 225.287.7898 or email jgiarrusso@oyd.louisiana.gov.