Renata Hannans hosts a book club for youth at the Duval County jail every week.
The 14 boys, who range in age from 15 to 17 years old, and are charged with serious crimes, some even facing life in prison.
They read non-fiction books every week and discuss the lessons of the book inside the jail.
Hannans says she wants to give these teens hope, in the darkest time of their life.
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“Reading is not cool, picking up a gun is cool, as you can see with our crime rate in our city,” Hannans said.
Each boy is given a dictionary to help expand his vocabulary.
Hannans, along with Yolanda Webster, who leads meditation at book club, teaches these boys to breathe through difficult situations instead of fighting.
Nikki Figgs- a therapist who also works with the 14 boys, says many have traumatic childhoods and come from hopeless homes.
The hope dealer brings books to youth in the Duval County jail. Tonight at 6:00 the changes she’s seeing in the young men in her jail book club. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/GXpJvJofcG
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) December 18, 2018
While their childhoods and home lives are not an excuse for their actions, Figgs says its never to late for change.
“The way that they think, the way they behave is altered because of those experiences, and they don’t recognize that," Figgs said.
If you would like to help in the hope dealer's mission of change you can contact the group here.
Cox Media Group
