A D.C. non-profit is working to give books to teens behind bars.

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Michael Kemp, a budding poet, attributes his love of books to the non-profit Free Minds Book Club.

"Fantasy books, self-help books, fiction, non-fiction. Any type of book you can read, I've probably read it," Kemp said. "You may be physically incarcerated but reading a book takes you on a trip. It takes you out of that state of mind where you don't feel like you're in prison."

The organization gives books to teens charged or convicted as adults.

"Young people, whether they've made mistakes or not, deserve to be treated like children," said Ryan. "They need support, they need nurturing, they need family, they need community."

Free Minds is fundraising with the Campaign for Youth Justice to help 40 teens turn a new page in their life with a book this Christmas.

Darius found Free Minds at 16 years old while awaiting trial on a second degree murder charge.

"You're behind bars" Darius said. "You can't be with your family, can't hug them, can't give your mother and father presents and things."

After his acquittal, he's returning the favor by working for the organization.

For Kemp, this holiday will be the first as a free man since 2006 and the start of a new chapter.

"I made a mistake, but look at me now," he said.