Crawala/ AmeriCorps Vista: Illinois Community Impact Project

08/28/2019

Serving in our community #911. To find an opportunity, follow this link: https://nationalservice.gov/serve/search

04/08/2019

Dedication to a great human being. Here’s an individual that demonstrates it only takes one.
Think of it...All the youth mentored (court, child services, children of prisoners), including those he and Mary personally mentored. The newly organized mentor programs and their youth, those who had court and educational advocates, the after-school programs in their communities (e.g. Lawrenceville Night Owls), food pantries, local area network communities (32 in Southern Illinois)helping children in the child welfare system to gain access to much needed services, and the AmeriCorps VISTA program (last 10 years), spreading his vision and service across the state! He was a Restorative Justice advocate, bringing that vision to Southern Illinois.
He was a Circuit Judge, served as Chief Judge, headed up statewide Associate Judges, served on countless boards, including the national/international, Volunteers in Probation, Howard & Associates, The Chicago Area Project (10 years)! He championed social justice, prison and juvenile justice reform, violence against women, and children. He was an Illinois Senator, and served his country in WWII. He and Mary raised (and contributed) an amazing family (children, grandchildren, and great), lucky us! He was an active, and dedicated member of his local and the state Democratic Party. He served on national committees . On those special occasions where I joined him for a ride across Illinois, I had the pleasure of hearing his stories of growing up, service, and about his family that he loved so much! He told the best stories (always long), and Dad jokes, that no matter what I laughed. He brought happiness wherever he went. My first trip to Springfield, I learned so much about Illinois history from Phil. (3 1/2 hr ride both ways, you can learn a lot!)He was known everywhere I went. Sometimes the mere mention of his name got me a special seat or welcome. So well known, respected, and loved.
There is so much more I’m sure I have left out. It amazes me how one individual can have such a great impact on so much and so many. An incredible role model, mentor, and friend to all! Lucky us!!

04/08/2019

Yesterday, our organization’s founder, Judge Philip B Benefiel, passed away. He was 95. He was a great servant leader, mentor, American, husband, father, and friend. R.I.P.

03/12/2019

07/23/2018

Sad news to share with our CraWaLa & VISTA family & friends. Many of you will remember Beth Raggo, our Admin. Assistant (my boss, guide, kept me straight, and friend), she passed away yesterday. Arrangements and services for Beth are as follows:
Visitation: Monday 4-7 Illinois time @ Emmons Macey Steffey in Lawrenceville
Funeral: Tuesday at 11:00 Illinois time also at funeral home.
As I learn more, I will share.
Please keep Beth, Alan Raggo, April, Erin, and their families in your thoughts prayers. Candles lite! R.I.P. dear one.
Marie

10/19/2017

This is the best Federal government program and opportunity for young people who desire to serve, who dream of the world being a better place because they were here, and for U.S. Communities lucky enough to have a young person serve in their community! AmeriCorp VISTAs you rock!!
We have opportunities now!

10/19/2017

Recruitment is on! Follow this link to learn more

Contact Us | Newsletters | Site Map | Site Index | Office of Inspector General | FirstGov | Privacy | Accessibility FOIA | No Fear Act | Federal Register Notices | Site Notices Last updated: Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 10:44 AM Release version: 6.7.2

05/02/2017

Sad news to report. Our friend, great supporter, and Co-founder of Cra-Wa-La, Mary K. Benefiel, passed away on Saturday, April 29th. She was my rock, friend, and mentor. I will miss her dearly. I want to grow-up to model her love, strength and commitment to life. Please remember her family in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks, Marie
http://www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com/obituaries/Mary-Kathryn-Benefiel/

Share Memories and Support the Family.

01/28/2017

http://figur8.net/baby/

Saturday sharing time. I was chatting with my daughter Heidi this morning about working with our grandson Jase on learning to read music and play an instrument. I was looking at flash cards, etc. and came across this site. It reminded me of what I did when Cherami and Erika were little ones. The dot cards and reading cards. I started them when Erika as 6 months and Cherami 18 months. Both girls did great in math and were early and now advid readers. I don't know why I didn't think of these when my other grandchildren were wee ones?! We focused on communications early with them and sign-language. It was pretty cool because very early they could communicate what they needed/wanted. Jase has learned sign-language too and yes, he is a chatterbox and has an incredible vocabulary.

This post is for all my families, friends and VISTAs who have little ones, as well as SEL Pre-K programs. Baby brian power is awesome! Enjoy!! Marie

Figur8 is an early childhood development website sharing information and resources with parents so that we may raise happy, confident and successful children. By realising our children's true potentials, we can help our children make the world a better place. At Figur8, our goal is to provide nurtur...

11/14/2016

https://youtu.be/_7pjcRBUbx4