Talked to Rodney Walker on Jan 20, 2023

(217) 520-4447
- Herald & review reported that meetings are 530pm - 830pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Who are those meetings for?
    - that's for kids age 12-18. parents must come in & sign them in
    - Tuesday was first night
    - life skills work for 30-40 minutes, then gym area for activities. basketball. weight training. boxing coaches. gang prevention specialists. counselors. at end of each session, kids sent home with snacks. sometimes get snack midway through. 
    - grant covers 75 kids max each day
- How can somebody get involved with/volunteer at the leadership academy?
    - call at phone 217 520 4447, email sos.inc217@gmail.com, facebook@skywalkeroutreachservices
- When is it open for kids?
- Are services age-restricted to kids age 12-18?
- How does someone get the services at no-cost?
- What kind of help does SkyWalker Outreach need, if any?
    - has a good staff
    - open to volunteers, but doesn' thave a specific need
    - has to screen volunteers
- What programs do you offer for free? 
    - boxing program mondays, wed, fri, 530pm - 830pm about 50 people max, also age 12-22. includes a life skills curriculum
    - boys and girls
    - additional costs for boxing gear covered by the org
- AWOL program All Walks of Life
    - 50 max
    - boys & girls, 12 - 18
    - mondays & thursdays 530pm - 830pm
    - curriculum based
    - diff teachers from DPS come to work with kdis
    - counselors
    - gang specialists
    - coaches
    - snacks
    - basically just different teachers, similar to the leadership academy, but get a little more tutoring if you have problems in school. better help with school / homework
- To clarify, RodneyWalker owns the complex & operates a private business with paid programs, and SkyWalker Outreach Services pays program fees on behalf of kids, right?
    - the call quality got really bad. He said he'd call back. I emailed him & texted him asking to follow up via email.


Follow up emails:
Rodney says: Our experienced grant specialist used a fair market assessment to make sure funds were allocated to cover No for profit program cost!
Rodney says: AWOL program is heavier on the curriculum piece 
Rodney says: AWOL / Leadership academy operate on two of the same days but with different instructors with different qualifications 
Rodney says: Note there’s an age difference also on the academy vs AWOL


Info from the flyers:
## AWOL (All Walks of Life)
Who: Boys & Girls Age 12-22
What: Come hangout in a safe environment, practice athletics, enjoy hobbies, discover new interest, get advice, get homework help, and learn conflict resolution skills all while having fun. Educational and life tutoring will be available.

This is a one stop shop for all! We will have teachers, mentors, gang prevention specialist, facilitators, and coaches on hand to assist. We will focus on life skills while building relationships.

Free. Snacks Provided.

When: Monday & Thursday Nights 5:30pm - 8:30pm, stargin Jan 23, 2023
Where: Skywalker International Sports Complex, 400 E Eldorado St. Decatur IL
Why: We aim to curve gun violence and bring conflict resolution training to the young people of our city and surrounding area. We want to make resources available for all while providing them a safe place to hangout. They will be given the opportunity to learn necessary life skills in order to make them a successful member of our community.


Contact Rodney Walker with any questions. 217-520-4447