Now is the time of year when many people start a period of reflection.
For me, I often think about my successes and failures during the past year. I think of the lives that I have affected and the individuals who have affected me.
I also think about the inspirational organizations in our region that are effecting massive change every day. These are people and organizations that are fighting the good fight and are deeply involved in changing our community for the better.
More often than not, these organizations, and their leaders, work without fanfare. They generally operate on shoestring budgets and have committed themselves to a purpose that is completely selfless.
While dozens of organizations in our community fit this description, I’m highlighting three that I think of often. The work they do makes our region better, and each deserves positive recognition and kudos for their accomplishments during the past year.
1. AWOL is a registered 501(c)3 that provides arts and technology education for at-risk youth. The organization’s main goal is to develop youth in an environment that encourages respect, education, creativity and, most of all, non-violence. Using art and hip-hop as a vehicle for “social change” among youth populations has proven to be a successful model.
Tony and Davena Jordan are heroes of mine. Are they controversial? Yes. Demanding? Yes. Inspirational? Yes. Tony and Davena embody the spirit that can help transform each and every at-risk youth in our region. If Tony and Davena could find the funding and resources to allow them to reach all the at-risk youth in our region, I know we wouldn’t have to spend millions of dollars on expanding our jails.
Tony and Davena work tirelessly every day to save our most at-risk students. Their kids graduate, perform and go on to college. Tony and Davena work within the constraints of a shoestring budget, and each year their program grows. Our community needs more people like the Jordans, or, better yet, we need to find a way to get the Jordans more money so their sphere of influence can grow.
2. Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy is a 35-year-old community-based nonprofit organization that offers advocacy support to more than 110 developmentally disabled local citizens.
This group’s citizen advocacy is built on one-to-one, personal relationships between two people: One is a person with a developmental disability who has often been excluded from typical community life, and the other is a volunteer advocate who is living an ordinary life.
I urge anyone who’s interested to reach out and become involved. As a sidenote, the greatest event in Savannah each year is this organization’s annual meeting, which includes a huge covered dish potluck dinner.
3. West Broad Street Heritage YMCA and Loop It Up Savannah: The primary focus of West Broad Street Y is the citizens of the Kayton and Frazier Homes communities.
Hundreds of children pass through West Broad’s doors each week. After-school programs keep these kids on track with homework assignments while evening meals keep them from going to bed hungry.
Molly Lieberman uses West Broad Y as the homebase for two innovative community art programs: Loop It Up Savannah and Handmade Neighborhoods. Both programs help our community transcend age, race and social-economic barriers by bringing people together through creative activities and projects. West Broad Executive Director Peter Doliber’s support of Molly and these projects has been instrumental in their success.
In summary, reach out to these organizations, or any organization that is making a difference in our community. Donate your time, money or resources. Write a letter of encouragement or simply call and offer your thanks for a job well done.
Whatever you do, make sure you commit to helping someone or some aspect of our community before this time next year. Don’t let another year go by without changing your community for the better. Make a promise to yourself to become more involved.
Jake Hodesh is the executive director of The Creative Coast, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the creative and entrepreneurial community within the region. Jake can be reached at 912-447-8457 or jake@thecreativecoast.org.