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C.R.A.F.T. Newsletters

News and Events

• The C.R.A.F.T. organization was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc. The grant will be used for C.R.A.F.T.'s 2012 summer enrichment program.

• A gift of land was anonymously donated to C.R.A.F.T. The 1.3 acres of land is adjacent to the property that C.R.A.F.T. already owns in Pembroke. The donated land will be vital to C.R.A.F.T.'s plan to expand its facilities during the coming years.

• CRAFT is supporting 12 college students through its Student Assistance Fund and Student Adoption Fund for the 2011-2012 school year.

• Christine Foster, daughter of Ms. Rosemary Foster, was awarded $1500 through the Hezekiah Brady, Jr. Scholarship. Ms. Foster is a junior at Eastern Illinois University.

CRAFT Highlights 2011

C.R.A.F.T. has served 114 students with a total of $116,950 through its Student Assistance Fund since 1991.

C.R.A.F.T began its 21st year of the Eagles with its partnership with Lorenzo Smith School in Pembroke Township, IL.

C.R.A.F.T established the Hezekiah Brady, Jr. Scholarship Fund in honor and memory of the organization's founder. ($14,250 has been awarded to 8 students since 2005.)

C.R.A.F.T. completed its 8th year of the Summer Enrichment/Literacy Program. C.R.A.F.T., through its Student Assistance Fund and the Student Adoption Program, is supporting 12 college students in the 2011-2012 school year.

Quick Contact

C.R.A.F.T. Inc.
PO Box 231, Hopkins Park, IL 60944 USA
Phone 815.944.5416
Fax 708.503.4076
craft@craftinc.org

Mentoring Programs for Youth

Mentoring Programs in Pembroke & Hopkins Park Illinois

Eagles Program

Image showing the Mentoring Young through the Eagles Program C.R.A.F.T. changed its focus to the mentoring of elementary students through the Eagles Program in 1991.

The primary mission of the Eagles Program is to build self-esteem and self worth in African American youth by providing role models, leadership and guidance for the students.

C.R.A.F.T. partners with the Lorenzo Smith School in Pembroke where students are encouraged to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in their quest for academic excellence.

Sessions with the students cover such topics as personal development, responsibility and identity, goal setting and maintenance of positive friendships. Awards for academic excellence are given out for students who meet the criteria.

C.R.A.F.T. is beginning its 20th year of partnership with Lorenzo Smith School in Pembroke, Illinois.

Student Adoption Program/Student Assistance Fund

The Student Adoption Program (S.A.P.) was initiated in 1991 to assist students in their preparation for and pursuit of post-secondary education.

The Student Adoption Program – S.A.P. focuses on two different groups of students: high school and college. The Program provides academic, social, spiritual and for the college students financial support.

The college students must be enrolled in two-year and four-year post-secondary institutions of higher learning. The program’s focus for the high school students is to assist in their preparation for college enrollment.

Sessions focus on developing and maintaining academic excellence, goal-setting, college preparatory exams, searches, applications and financial aid resources and applications.

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF), a part of the Student Adoption Program, was created to offer financial, social, emotional and spiritual assistance to college students who are primarily from the Pembroke Township area.

The need for professional people in the African-American community is great. It is imperative that we intercede to alleviate stumbling blocks which would prevent our youth from fulfilling their God-given potentials to meet these needs. We seek to accomplish this through our Student Assistance Fund.

The Fund provides financial assistance twice a year to qualifying students who are enrolled in the Student Adoption Program.

Since the inception of the program in 1991 there have been 27 graduates who have earned their bachelor degrees.

C.R.A.F.T. has served 112 students with a total of $111,765 through its Student Assistance Fund.