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For over two years, young people at the Santa Fe county youth detention program (YDP) have participated in the “Voces de Libertad” poetry workshops. With a grant from the McCune Charitable Foundation, founder Demetria Martinez has brought poets in from Santa Fe, Espanola, Taos and Albuquerque to lead the workshops at the detention facility.

To honor these young poets and to celebrate their achievements, El Museo Cultural will host “Youth Speak Out,” an exhibit and reading of their poems, as well as remarks by workshop leaders. The event, which is free, will be held Sunday, September 25, 2-4 pm at El Museo, 555 Camino de la Familia. Refreshments will be served.

“Voces de Libertad” workshops originated as a project of Biblioteca Amigos Library. The library, designed and staffed by volunteers, is located at the facility on Airport Road in Santa Fe. Books have been donated by community members and the Lannan Foundation. Martinez, one of the volunteers, is an author and activist. Her newest novel is The Block Captain’s Daughter. Recent recognitions include an American Book Award and an International Latino Book Award.