Message of hope from Fresno's juvenile justice campus

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A California teacher whose story turned into a major motion picture spent some time with Valley students behind bars.

Roughly 40 teens currently serving time at Fresno County's Juvenile Hall watched clips of the movie "Freedom Writers" and heard from Erin Gruwell, the California teacher who the starring role is based off of.

Nine years have passed since Gruwell last visited Fresno. She came back to tell a new class of kids that just because you did bad things, does not make you a bad person.

The former Long Beach High School teacher made headlines after her unique teaching method with troubled kids and their empowering turnaround became the basis for a Hollywood film starring Hilary Swank. Gruwell spoke to the kids about being incarcerated, and how it doesn't have to define you.

Gruwell brought dozens of copies of her book to pass out to the kids. The book includes letters from her past students, the pain they suffered and how they moved on. Gruwell says she was blown away by the questions and heartfelt stories from the teens and even received a personal letter from one boy.

Gruwell said, "Matthew was very courageous and wrote a letter about where he was an where he is now and how he wants to change and that's going to be the first book I pass out today is to Matthew."

Most of the teenagers who heard Gruwell speak are serving longer sentences or are in drug programs.

Court schools teacher Bill Feaver said, "What she gave today and she always gives is the word hope. She instills that in kids."

After she spoke here Erin went and stopped by some of the pods and talked to as many kids as she could and give them a hug. Sending her message of hope as far as she could reach.