Resilence

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THE BRITE BLOG

We share the voices, opinions and stories of many Ventura County youth and young adults here. Not all posts reflect the opinion of BRITE or our sponsors. Managed by Ashley Heatherly.

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We see the perspective of standing in a dark tunnel, with railroad tracks extending to the horizon. At the end of the tunnel is a visible arch with two people standing in it, walking on what appears to be white snow. There is a light emanating from the entrance of the tunnel giving a sense of hope and forward momentum.

We see the perspective of standing in a dark tunnel, with railroad tracks extending to the horizon. At the end of the tunnel is a visible arch with two people standing in it, walking on what appears to be white snow. There is a light emanating from the entrance of the tunnel giving a sense of hope and forward momentum.

Benadryl

A poem written by a college student about her experience witnessing an ex-boyfriend overdose, and how there is always a light at the end of the tunnel even when things feel hopeless.

Oct 24, 20252 min read

Water’s Face

Water’s Face

Water’s Face

Writing and painting by Sierra Watson. I wonder how calm water feels; All gathered as I looked upon its face. I’m sure it wonders if...

Sep 8, 20252 min read

A young girl is sitting on a cement step with her head covered by her arms, her backpack on the ground next to her. In the background there are 3 other students pointing and laughing at her.

A young girl is sitting on a cement step with her head covered by her arms, her backpack on the ground next to her. In the background there are 3 other students pointing and laughing at her.

Bullying & Resilience

A college student discusses their experience with bullying while growing up and how it's made them a more resilient person and better friend.

Feb 13, 20252 min read

An illustration of a person of color with long curly brown hair and expressive brown eyes.

An illustration of a person of color with long curly brown hair and expressive brown eyes.

Black History

A high school student discusses the complications of Black history being promoted while Black people and other people of color are still experiencing racism and violence in our country.

Feb 9, 20241 min read

A picture of a beautiful blue river flowing through rocks covered in green foliage and moss.

A picture of a beautiful blue river flowing through rocks covered in green foliage and moss.

Daughter of the River

A poem by a college student.

Jan 10, 20241 min read

A person is painting the word 'poetry' on a colorful wall. You can also see the word 'pain.'

A person is painting the word 'poetry' on a colorful wall. You can also see the word 'pain.'

The Importance of Poetry

A college student discusses how poetry helps her express her identity as a woman of color and shares one of her poems.

Jan 10, 20242 min read

First Generation

A college student discusses her experience being a first-generation college student and the struggles and successes that she's experienced.

Oct 23, 20233 min read

A young person is standing in front of a plain, white wall, smiling with her eyes closed and both hands held up to her heart, like she is giving herself a hug.

A young person is standing in front of a plain, white wall, smiling with her eyes closed and both hands held up to her heart, like she is giving herself a hug.

Older and Wiser

A college student discusses her experience with low self-esteem, why therapy is helpful, and how others can improve their self-esteem.

Sep 28, 20236 min read

A person is sitting at a desk in front of an open notebook, holding a pen and appearing to write a letter.

A person is sitting at a desk in front of an open notebook, holding a pen and appearing to write a letter.

Dear Disappointment

A teen writes a letter to his feelings of anxiety, depression, and disappointment.

Sep 20, 20232 min read

A child stands in the foreground with long hair partially obscuring her face. She is looking down as if she is scared or feeling ashamed. Two adults are arguing in the background and one has their hand held out to the other as if she is pushing him away.

A child stands in the foreground with long hair partially obscuring her face. She is looking down as if she is scared or feeling ashamed. Two adults are arguing in the background and one has their hand held out to the other as if she is pushing him away.

Children Need Support

A college student discusses her experiences with abuse growing up and how it has affected her and her siblings' mental health.

Aug 8, 20233 min read

A person is jogging on a beach at sunrise or sunset. They are mid-stride with one leg touching the ground and the other elevated. The sun is bright orange and close to the horizon, reflecting off of the water. There are scattered clouds and a blue sky at the top of the photo. It feels very peaceful.

A person is jogging on a beach at sunrise or sunset. They are mid-stride with one leg touching the ground and the other elevated. The sun is bright orange and close to the horizon, reflecting off of the water. There are scattered clouds and a blue sky at the top of the photo. It feels very peaceful.

Recognizing Harmful vs. Beneficial Coping Mechanisms

A college student discusses beneficial and harmful coping mechanisms and suggests healthy ways to deal with stress.

Jun 18, 20233 min read

A young Black man is working out in a gym setting, with his arms reaching up to a metal bar. His hands have chalk on them and his face is straining as he concentrates to finish the movement. He looks powerful and committed.

A young Black man is working out in a gym setting, with his arms reaching up to a metal bar. His hands have chalk on them and his face is straining as he concentrates to finish the movement. He looks powerful and committed.

Sobriety and Fitness

A college student discusses why he chooses sobriety and how he uses fitness as his motivation.

Mar 23, 20232 min read

An illustration of a large, open eye superimposed over a scene of people dancing, lit by a crescent moon and some stars.

An illustration of a large, open eye superimposed over a scene of people dancing, lit by a crescent moon and some stars.

Depression

A poem by a Ventura County high school student about her experience with depression.

Jan 23, 20232 min read

A photo from above of a woman playing tennis on a court with the racket in her hand, standing defensively like she's waiting for the ball to come towards her. The white stripe of the tennis court swoops dramatically up and to the right against the background of the green court.

A photo from above of a woman playing tennis on a court with the racket in her hand, standing defensively like she's waiting for the ball to come towards her. The white stripe of the tennis court swoops dramatically up and to the right against the background of the green court.

Never Stop Doing Right

A teen discusses her experience with failure and learning from her mistakes.

Dec 27, 20221 min read

A pair of hands are holding a lit candle. The candle is lighting the hands while the rest of the image is in darkness.

A pair of hands are holding a lit candle. The candle is lighting the hands while the rest of the image is in darkness.

A Burning Question

A high school student's poem about growing up, finding inspiration, and adulthood.

Dec 27, 20222 min read

An illustration of the outline of a person covered by a rainbow of vertical colors. The person is surrounded by groups of people that are smiling and looking vacant.

An illustration of the outline of a person covered by a rainbow of vertical colors. The person is surrounded by groups of people that are smiling and looking vacant.

Breaking Traditions

A college student discusses his experiences growing up as a gay Mexican American, and how he navigates his different identities dealing with racism at school and pressure to fit into gender stereotypes at home.

Dec 16, 20229 min read

A black and white picture of a young person looking directly into the camera with a tear rolling down her face.

A black and white picture of a young person looking directly into the camera with a tear rolling down her face.

Bullying

A high school student discusses her experience with bullying in elementary school and suggestions for ways to handle difficult emotions instead of bullying.

Dec 8, 20223 min read

A field of bright, beautiful sunflowers bask in the sun below a clear blue sky.

A field of bright, beautiful sunflowers bask in the sun below a clear blue sky.

Sunflower

A poem about a young adult's growth.

Nov 15, 20221 min read

A field of beautiful bright purple flowers spreads out to the horizon, framed by a colorful peach sunset and blue sky with clouds.

A field of beautiful bright purple flowers spreads out to the horizon, framed by a colorful peach sunset and blue sky with clouds.

Color

A poem about a young adult's choice to stand out.

Nov 15, 20221 min read

A young woman of color is looking in the mirror and smiling while touching her face. She is radiating beauty and calm.

A young woman of color is looking in the mirror and smiling while touching her face. She is radiating beauty and calm.

From Disconnected to Finding Inner Beauty

A young adult discusses her experience with self-acceptance and self-love.

Nov 15, 20222 min read

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