"Avodah has been working with the incarcerated women at York CI for two years. What began as a simple request to visit and share their Forgiveness program has turned into an active partnership between Avodah and the women at York CI.
Initially, we were all a bit skeptical that a modern interpretive dance group would be received by the women at York. However, from the initial contacts to the ongoing relationship it has been an unbelievable experience for staff and students. JoAnne Tucker, Artistic Director of Avodah, visited the school nearly three years ago in anticipation of a workshop visit. Immediately she connected with the students, engaging them in their interest in and knowledge of dance. The first year was a huge undertaking for York CI. We had never hosted an artistic residency program at York CI and there were many people to get "on board" with the project. Everyone was surprised from the moment that Avodah arrived. The students were intrigued and willing to try anything that was asked of them. It is not unusual for nearly 50% of any class to drop out before completion of a project. Avodah never lost a student. It was the first time we had perfect attendance and 100% completion in a artistic program.
Everyone shared their thoughts and comments at subsequent faculty meetings and all expressed praise, a desire to have Avodah return and surprise at the students reactions. We were fortunate enough to find funding to have Avodah return for a second year and it was as we expected, a remarkable experience. The second year changed a bit from the first year. More students wanted to be involved and JoAnne and I decided to make it a workshop experience, allowing the women to write and interpret their own writings into dance movement. It was moving and rewarding to see the students so involved in the process, to hear their words and see their creation.
Avodah's involvement with York CI has been a tremendous benefit to the women. Housing the program in education we are able to facilitate writing, history, art appreciation self development, health and communication skills into the advance preparation of Avodah arrival and the follow up classes. The women gain a sense of accomplishment, not normally realized by women "at risk". They experience improved self esteem and self awareness. Their educational skills are enhanced by the transference of skills learned in the workshops with Avodah. Important elements learned in the dance program, time on task, completion, analysis, synthesis, commitment and hard work are all able to be transferred into the academic and vocational programs in which the women are enrolled. Women who become successful with any program seem to be successful in other programs as well. It seems "success breeds success".
It is our hope to expand Avodah's programs to run throughout the year. JoAnne has discussed the idea of maintaining a dance class on a regular basis at York CI in between their residencies. We are fortunate to have a teacher knowledgeable and interested in dance who works with our women prior to Avodah arrival. JoAnne would like to incorporate her into an ongoing program to be overseen by Avodahâs dancers and its director. The possibility of maintaining the program and incorporating it into the ongoing curriculum is a fascinating concept.
We hope to continue our relationship with Avodah and JoAnne Tucker for many years to come. I was fortunate enough to see Avodah working at the Baylor Correctional Institute for Women in New Castle, DE this year and I was pleased to see that the work Avodah offers is beneficial to other similarly situated women as well. It verified what I thought must be true, that this type of activity must have beneficial affects in other environments as well as York CI."