"GiGi" A Beautiful Baby

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“Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

The Soy Autor writing process was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017, this innovative program launched at Cook County Jail with young men awaiting trial for violent offenses. Through the process of drafting, revising, illustrating and publishing memoirs, the Authors’ Circle develops reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie, conflict resolution and positive self-projection.

In collaboration with:

Cook County Sheriff’s Office

“GiGi” A Beautiful Baby Leonardo Velasquez

My daughter was born on the 2nd of December, 2015 at 1:03 am. The name that was given is Angeleena Marrufo. Sadly I wasn’t there to give her my last name.

Will she know that her last name was supposed to be Velasquez? The only reason it didn’t happen because her father was in jail.

Will my daughter despise me for not being there? When I was told my daughter was born healthy I felt blessed, being that she was born in December, Christmas was right around the corner.

Angeleena is my only kid, there would be mes where I would look at the pictures the mother of my daughter has sent me, I would think that my daughter looks like a baby doll. She is just so beauuful, someemes I think how can a person like me be a father to something so amazing, one should be so privileged to have a daughter.

It makes me look at life very dierent, life is indeed very beauuful.

I just want to be able to hold my daughter. For her I would change my lifestyle just so I could be in her life.

Bei ng i n jail stops me from doing any thing to hel p my daughter, so far I have missed my daughters ďŹ rst tooth, learning how to crawl, walk and teaching her how to talk. I would love to be in my daughter ’s life so I could be with her 24/7.

I am from a Broken Home From Sprite and Jolly Ranchers.

I am from the mother always at work

troublesome, hardheaded, always sunny on the west side.

I am from the sun,

an Aztec warrior.

I am from eating together and having conflict among each other, from Elimele Flores and Maria Aviles.

I’m from the parents always fighting and Mother raising 6 kids.

From “We have our own choices” and

“Don’t look for trouble because trouble will eventually find you.”

I’m from a lack of Believing, having no Religion.

I’m from Chicago Heights and Mexico. wings, carnitas.

From older sisters leaving home too quick, Leo trying to grow up

too quick.