What does Berkeley Youth Alternatives do?  BYA is a non-profit program that helps kids stay out of trouble.  They have a garden program that helps out the community by giving them organic food from our garden and telling us how to eat better and stay healthy.  BYA helps me stay in school and keep me on track with school, like my homework and going to class, and helps me get ready for prom and other big events.  They help me be more active and walk everywhere.  I eat better food now. I am more aware of where my food comes from.  I’ve been with BYA for four years since I was a freshman in high school.  That's a long time.  They are like family to me.  I love them.  They are hella awesome.  I am about to be on my own in June.  The real world is going to be something else.

Nikki Reed, 18