Take Action!

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

Steps to Literacy

Balanced Literacy Program

Summer Enrichment Program

C.R.A.F.T.’s Summer Enrichment Program is a part of the organization’s Eagles and Student Adoption Programs. African American Teen Reading

The goal of the program is to provide 7th-8th graders and high school students with an additional opportunity to hone their reading and writing skills.

In addition, the young people will participate in round-table discussions regarding career paths, personal responsibility and growth.

Other activities will include field trips and guest speakers from various professions.

C.R.A.F.T. just completed its 6th year of the Summer Enrichment/Literacy Program.

Literacy Resources

Articles on Literacy

Title: The Importance of Improvement in Literacy Rate

The literacy rate of a population shows the social and economically status of a community. The progress of a community socially and economically does not lay with the financial power but is measured by the literacy rate of that community.

Improvement in literacy rate is possible only if the people of the society use the educational tools for knowledge spreading and enhancing. The use of literacy in a progressive way is therefore a must for increasing literacy rate...Read the full article

Title: The White Man's Education

I don't quite remember when I first heard the phrase or the young black kid who I last heard utter it, but I do remember the shudder that went through my body each time. The kids were questioning why they had to go to school to get the "white man's education." In both cases I never got to give an answer, as they weren't talking to me, though I desperately wanted to.

Afterwards I remember thinking that this attitude was probably a growing one among young African Americans. From my own experiences I could see how such nonsense can be attractive, particularly among youngsters mesmerized by street lifestyles and looking for a slick sounding reason to grow up illiterate and parasitical...Read the full article

Title: Balanced Literacy

Balanced literacy is a theory based on the idea that there are many different learning styles for children who are learning to read. There are many different teaching methods that are effective ways for teaching reading, but alone they do not always deliver for every student.

With the variety of learning styles that the students bring into the classroom it is impossible to suggest that one method of teaching would effectively teach each student how to be a good reader. The balanced reading approach bases itself on the idea that a combination of teaching methods used together will teach a greater range of students more effectively...Read the full article