The Hard-Core Speak

About the Book

The Hard-Core Speak, but who is listening? For many years the author has contacted educators, mayors, newspapers and social agencies for help in reducing gang membership in Los Angeles. But no one listened, no one acted, no one cared. Now we have a horrendous crisis on our hands. After reading essays, poems, and autobiographies of the hard core youth, we will be in a better position to create meaningful programs to prevent droves of young people to look for emotional support by joining gangs.

The Hard-Core Speak by Elsa Curyk is the kind of book that can change lives. Elsa Curyk is a fearless teacher deeply dedicated to making a difference in the lives of gang members and other students who have been neglected and beaten down by circumstances beyond their control. Readers will be amazed at the enlightened common sense and strong commitments Elsa brings to the most challenging environments facing our society today. Through her courage and example others can learn how to make a difference—a difference that just might change the lives of young people who now face the world without hope and dreams.

Terry O'Banion

President Emeritus and Senior League Fellow

League for Innovation in the Community College

About the Author

Elsa was born in Poland and left there when she was ten years old. She lived in Wildenreuth, Bavaria in Germany for six years where she attended middle school. After immigrating to the United States she continued her education at South Lancaster Academy in Massachusetts. After settling down in Glendale, California, she attended Glendale Community College and California State College at Northridge, where she received her BA Degree and Teaching Credential. Her first teaching assignment was at Central High School, where she met most of the Youth At Risk. While teaching, she also attended UCLA and received her Master's Degree in Education. Elsa lives in Los Angeles, CA now. She has three adult children and five grandchildren.