Juvenile Profiles | Kymyada

This is an example of the type of character profiles we have in our archive. Our programs are used in classrooms and stocked in libraries across the country, but I'm working to create a learning community that emphasizes how educators can be better equipped to face the unique challenges at-risk kids are dealing with, and that they pose to the adults best suited to help them achieve.

Kymyada, a teen mother, is arrested on runaway charges after her mother and her godmother can’t locate her after a night of partying with friends. Kymyada maintains this is all a misunderstanding, but her mother believes Kymyada needs more structure in her life. Even though most parents beg to get their kids out of juvie, Kymyada isn’t so lucky. On the witness stand, her mom says it’s time for Kymyada to show more respect and refuses to take her home. This leaves judge Mary Beth Bonaventura with few options on what to do with this teenage mom.