Rap sessions are basically meetings that A.Y.E. holds. The rap sessions would be held every single day. Sometimes we had 1-3 rap sessions a day. Rap sessions can be as long as 1 hour to 8 hours. Typically during rap sessions we have check-ins, acknowledgments, candle lighting, fortune cookie, focus, safe space, activities, and sharing. We start rap sessions with check-ins. During check-ins we talk about how we are feeling that day and how our day is going. Acknowledgment’s is when we acknowledge someone for doing something good that day. Candle lighting is when 3 random participants light three candles. As they each light a candle they say what they are going to contribute to the group. A fortune cookie is basically a big fake cookie that has a fortune for the day, as well as telling us our lucky numbers. Along with the fortune cookie is a quote. Focus is when we empty our minds and think of our happy place. Usually during the focus there is relaxing music playing in the background in order help us relax. Safe space is a poster that has a big circle in the middle. In the circle are all the things that make up or constitutes of our safe space. All the A.Y.E. participants, facilitators, volunteers, and board members sign the empty space the circle isn’t occupying. When a visitor comes to our rap session they are to read over our safe space poster and are asked to sign it. During rap sessions we do some activities. This part of rap sessions is one of the hardest. Not because it drains you physically, it is more mind draining and emotional. I don’t like some of the activities because they make me cry. Even though these activities were at times sad and depressing, they in my opinion were helpful. It allowed some of us to open up and tell our stories. It allowed a lot of us to trust more and finally let go of things we had been holding in our heart for way too long. This leads us to sharing. Sharing is when one of the participants decides that they would like to tell the whole group about their life. At this time one or more of the participants tells their story. At times the stories may be graphic, hard, painful, unimaginable, and sad but we all have to remind ourselves that for some of us that is reality. This segment of rap sessions unites us. This is the time where some of us think to ourselves. This is also the time to reflect back on your life and resolve any questions you may have had before. Rap sessions are also about supporting one another. Rap Sessions is also to understand and to help, and to be there for anyone who needs help and support. The rap sessions end with the blowing out of the candles. 3 random participants each blow out a candle and at the same time say what they are taking from the rap session.