AWOL INC. HISTORY….AWOL was started in 1997 on Savannah State Universities campus by Mr. Tony “Polo” Jordan and a small group of friends. AWOL was the first registered campus based spoken word (poetry) organization. The organization functioned as an outlet for young artist to express themselves through the artistic forms of poetry and rap. To date, AWOL has hosted hundreds of spoken word events on and off the campus. AWOL is known in the area as a leader in the spoken word and hip-hop movements.
As the organizations founding members grew, so did the mission of the organization. Lead by Tony Jordan, the organization left the campus in 2001 to pursue a more aggressive goal. The goal was to provide at-risk youth living in Savannah with a safe “space” to express themselves during the hours most relevant to them, after school and at night.
AWOL All Walks of Life Inc is Savannahs first and only
spoken word (poetry) and hip-hop based youth development
organization. AWOL’s mission is to promote and
provide self-awareness through the use of poetry, hip-hop
and life. This mission is met by providing young people with
safe afternoon and night time youth programs that encourage
education, respect, creativity and most of all nonviolence. Research conducted
by the AED (Academy for
Educational Development) Center for Youth Development
and Policy Research states that the following
opportunities are critical to the success and positive development
of youth:
Opportunities to learn and build skills, test and explore
their own ideas
AWOL succeeds in all of these arenas through programs that promote and foster creativity. Since 2003, the agency has encountered hundreds youthful participants through various events, programs and services.. These accomplishments were made possible with creative interventions and approaches to resource sharing and building of strong community partnerships.
A growing concern for the entire community of Savannah
is the high rate of juvenile crime. According to the Department
of Juvenile Justice, from 2004-2005, Savannah
ranked first in the state in total juvenile commitments and
also had the highest number of long term placements in
state youth detention centers. The problems associated
with these issue are numerous, everything from poverty to
low educational attainment has played a part in these
poor outcomes for our young people.
While AWOL does not claim to be “the sole answer” to
the problem, we do assert to being a part of that answer.
AWOL has identified a need for youth programming that
allows for freedom of expression in a positive and safe
environment. But most of all, we only offer programs
during afternoon and night time hours, the hours when
youth are more likely to get into trouble.
Organizational Goals
|
|
|
|
|
|
AWOL utilizes a myriad of artistic formats to train youth in arts based curriculums that not only rely on cognitive skills but also utilize their own creative potential.
MEDIA EDUCATION
DIGITAL MUSIC PRODUCTIOIN
FILM PRODUCTION
PERFORMING ARTS
THEATRE ARTS
DANCE
TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
GRAPHIC DESIGN
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
AWOL also incorporates into all of our programs conflict resolution and anger management education and skill practice. Through our innovative Conflict Resolution Theater, youth not only increase their knowledge of how to deal with difficult situation's, they also get to “act out” those new skills.
Tony A. Jordan, President and CEO
Email: tjordan@awolinc.org
Donations:
(Make all checks and money orders payable to A.W.O.L. Inc.)
A.W.O.L. Inc.
P.O. Box 15846
Savannah, GA 31416