BOY
Leonardo Coronado
The ConTextos Authors Circle was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of, or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017 this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible, high quality opportunities that nourish the minds,,expand the voices and share the personal truths of individuals who have long been underserved and underestimated. Through the process of drafting, revising and publishing memoirs, participants develop self-reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie and positive selfprojection to author new life narratives.
Since January 2017 ConTextos has partnered with Cook County Sheriff's Office to implement Authors Circle in Cook County Department of Corrections as part of a vision for reform that recognizes the value of mental health, rehabilitation and reflection. These powerful memoirs complicate the narratives of violence and peace building, and help author a hopeful future for human beings behind walls, their families and our collective communities.
While each author’s text is solely the work of the Author, the image used to create this book’s illustrations have been sourced by various print publications. Authors curate these images and then, using only their hands, manipulate the images through tearing, folding, layering and careful positioning. By applying these collage techniques, Authors transform their written memoirs into illustrated books.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Leonardo Coronado Mama’s Boy
Ever sinceI was alittleboyI've alwaysbeen a mama'sboy.Mymother alwaystalks and guides methe right way,she's reallymysuperhero.Spendingtime with my mother would alwaysbetherapyto mysoul.
She is a very uplifting person, everyone loves her. It's really hard not to. When I had hard times and I was going through things, just by having a conversation with my mother it made my day 10 times better.
She's smart, beautiful, loving and caring. Just all the amazing traits a person can have in this world.
She's a woman that everyone goes to for advice or just to be an ear to listen to. Just because I made mistakes doesn't mean she was a bad mother, I did everything on my own. If anything she taught me manners, respect and just how to be a humble young man.
Growingupto myteenage years,I regret alot ofthingsbut onethingI regretted the most wasthe wayIlet mymotherdown.
I started being reckless, not caring. It really started in high school. I was going to school but I wasn't really going to school.
I was ditching school like all teenagers do, not doing myhomework. I just was not being a man my mom taught me to be.
One thing I can say about my mother is she never ever gave up or left on the curve.
No matter what I did, she was a person I could always depend on 24/7.
My mom had it hard growing up so I think that's what made her become the person she is today.
She is the oldest out of five kids, so she was a mother before being an actual mother. She always took care of everyone before herself no matter what she was going through.
It'slikeGoddroppedanangelfromtheskyandnamedherEvelia.Shealways madeourhomefeellikeasafehaven,andalwaysmadegoodtraditionalmeals, andmadesurethehousewasclean.
She taught me and my sisters how to wash clothes, and do chores and other things of that nature.
I remember to this day she told me, “Mijo, all of the things I'm teaching you are so you don't have to depend on anybody, always remember that.”
I think the reason for my mother being a big role model in my life is because even when she was sick and I mean there was days where she was so sick she couldn't get out of the bed. She would try to get us up and ask me and my two little sisters if we were still hungry.
She would tryto cookfor me and my sisters and even clean. Even onher sickestdays she tried todo everythingfor us.
Monthsbeforebeingincarcerated mybeautiful mother was diagnosed withheartfailure.
It felt like someone stepping on my heart and kicking me to the ground. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, all I know is my mother did not deserve this at all.
She is my everything, like how flowers need water to survive is how I need my mother. She's my best friend, the only person I can tell everything to and she won't judge me. I can be myself fully around her.
I know being incarcerated made things even worse for her, I'm her baby boy and seeing her baby in cuffs is heartbreaking as it is.
I know I'm the reason for that being.
I hate how my mother is so strong sometimes because every time I'm on the phone with her she doesn't sound sad but it's times when I'm on the phone with my sister and she says mommy is crying, she misses you or mommy is in the hospital because her heart hurts.
But I know when I go home I'm showing my mother how much I matured and how much knowledge I've gathered while I was in here and I know I'm going to make her the happiest mother ever.
Now I'm staying out of trouble to ease my mom ' s mind while I also ease mine. I'm in a program called ConTextos which I think helped me the most. It kept my mind busy and a pen and paper in my hand so I'll always be grateful for that.
And once I return to my beautiful mother I'm going to get my CDL and travel to different states with her. I'm even thinking about opening up my own trucking business.
I just wish I had superpowers so I can take her negative energy and negative health and throw it away because I know she deserves better days. And mark my words I will give her the best life that I can.
I Am From
I'm from Chicago Heights
Leonardo Coronado
From where you don't look for trouble but end up still finding it
I'm from mama ' s house we ' re there is freestyle in the morning
And there is hot chile’s cooking throughout the day
I'm from the hillside where we looked at as animals but don't get nine lives
I'm from my mama ' s home and my two princesses
From having family time until it's time to pop out
And from spending time with my sister until the devil calls my name
I'm from stay out the streets or it comes with defeat
And from get out the way before you get slayed
I'm from a King's Palace where we don't get many chances
I'm from the jungle where you can't fumble
From cookouts making tacos, and having family get togethers every weekend
From my pops who taught me how to survive
I'm from the Dark Side trying to find the light
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb
