Cra Wa La Volunteers in Probation, Inc

06/07/2017

As our long time friend and volunteer, Janet Tykal works on archiving our files here at Cra-Wa-La, she continues to come across many treasures which makes her stop and share. Today she came across a letter from our founder, Philip B Benefiel to Senator Paul Simon (1999). In the letter he thanks the Senator for speaking at our annual dinner. The particular part of the letter for Janet that is so worthy of sharing explains Judge Benefiel's dedication to Cra-Wa-La and all the other causes that he has so generously participated and supported. Here is the letter quote:
"As you spoke of the benefits the volunteers gained as much as their clients from the experience, and I recalled a verse I learned in High School literature from James Russell Lowell's VISION of SIR LAUNFEL:
"Not what we give but what we share,
For the gift without the giver is bare,
Who gives himself with his alms feeds three,
Himself, his hungering neighbor and Me."
Phil's quote pulls at my heartstrings and reminds me of why I have stayed with Cra-Wa-La for 20 years. The poem and Phil call to us to rise up, get involved, and share our alms with others. My granny said hunger isn't just food, it is knowledge, spirituality, and counsel. Hence, in the spirit and memory of Mary K. Benefiel who gave of herself to the organization for 47 years, I ask you to rise up and share your alms (love, knowledge, spirituality, and brilliance) with our children. Volunteer today!

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.

04/03/2017

We never stop needing community volunteer mentors and tutors. Give us a call 618-943-5326. Our children are waiting for you.

10/28/2016

He came, he took action, and he conquered our hearts!!!
He helped us put Parkside Night Owls back on the map and helping our children. He joined our IPASS team and supported the Coalition, its work and future. He organized the 12th Street Garden which provided veggies to the Senior Citizen Center in Lawrenceville, and he got actively involved in the community theater and Arts Council. He's directing Bus Stop and was part of the sound crew for Spamalot (and a costume designer.) So many talents and a great sense of humor.
Come wish Tucker a thank you, good wishes for a great future and good-bye next Friday here at The Ladner House, Home of Cra-Wa-La located at 1008 12th Street, in Lawrenceville, IL 10 to 4.

10/20/2016

Greetings family, friends, and Cra-Wa-La supporters. Cra-Wa-La host the Parkside Night Owls After-school Tutoring Program. We are hosting this very important fundraiser and hope that you will consider participating in the Spelling Bee by creating a team and/or helping us to raise the funds needed to continue to support and operate the program.
It cost $300 a year per student and that's $12.50 per week. We are asking teams to help us raise $1,800 per team (6-8 team members) and individuals to commit to raising $300.
When you follow the page below, if you just wish to donate click on the Donate button on the right side of the page.
Your support for this much needed program is greatly appreciated.
Help give our Lawrenceville Children the tools and skills they need, giving them the gift of their own stories and the skills we need them to have. Please donate today to Parkside Elementary School, Night Owls After-school Tutoring Program, hosted by Cra-Wa-La.
Marie Darryldean M Goff

Parkside Elementary School Night Owls Tutoring Program is an after-school program that keeps children safe, imorove academic performance, provides ho...

10/05/2016

Shout out to our Cra-Wa-La supporters, families, friends, associates, and neighbors. It's coming close to that time of year when we begin to start (if we haven't already) working on Christmas gifts. Many of us use Amazon to purchase our gifts. With that thought in mind, PLEASE remember our organization, Cra-Wa-La and select us has your charity of choice. You just have to make the purchase and Amazon Smile will donate 5% of your purchase to us, your selected charity. Its a way of giving by just shopping. Just follow the link below and save to your favorites so that every time you shop it takes you to our site. Happy Shopping!!! Of course you can use it all year long. (Smiley face).
The proceeds go toward supporting all our programs and services. Our Mentoring Program, Diversion, Night Owls Tutoring Program and crisis funds for our VISTAs and program families.

Thanks in advance!!! Marie Goff

http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7209414

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Cra-WA-La Volunteers in Probation Inc. Support us every time you shop.

03/18/2016

Greetings Lawrence County!

We continue to rebuild and strengthen our IPASS Substance Abuse Coalition. We welcome and invites all Lawrence County citizens to participate and to become a member (no fees). This group of Lawrence County citizens are concerned with preventing youth access to alcohol (underage drinking), ma*****na, prescription drugs, va**ng, and other substances. If this is a concern for you and you desire to be a part of the change, we are the Coalition for you. Please join us as we seek to be a part of the change we seek.

In an effort to extent access and increase participation, we have created a survey to us identify the best day, time, and location for our meetings. Please take a few minutes to let us know what is best for you. We will report results by our April 27th meeting.

The survey will close by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 15, 2016.

Thank you,
Marie Goff

Link: https://goo.gl/O2vhbn

Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates.

03/14/2016

Announcing URCHOICE Fundraiser!
When: Saturday, April 16, 2016
Where: Bridgeport Grade School
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Tickets are available through Cra-Wa-La (1008 12th Street); The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, and Bridgeport City Hall

Proceeds benefit the Lawrence County Drug Court.

Join us for a great cause and an enjoyable evening of the sounds of Dick Shoulders Big Band and trip the night fantastic and move your feet.

For more information you can call the Cra-Wa-La office at 618-943-5326

Be sure to share with your family, friends, neighbors and associates.

02/15/2016

02/08/2016

SAVE-THE-DATE... Next IPASS meeting Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Parkside Elementary School Community Room. 3:45 PM. Join us! Some of the agenda items include Next Steps for IPASS Coalition application for the Drug Free Community Grant (the big goal), what needs to be done to be successful.
If you were not able to come last month, please join us! All are welcome. We don't just meet, we develop Action Plans and take action. For more information, contact Marie Goff at 618-943-5326. Hope to see you there!!

02/04/2016

Our Night Owls after-school tutoring program is still in need of community Volunteers. Please join us and help a child learn to read, improve their math skills, help them with their homework and help them to succeed. Thank you in advance for your support and time.
Community Volunteers
http://bit.ly/1QESvIw

Please select sessions you wish to volunteer.

01/30/2016

Interesting information I came across this evening while collecting data for a grant application. I found that there were several services and programs not list in Heartland report of which included Cra-Wa-La has a service organization whose programs, youth, and families that have been negatively affected (harmed) by the lack of funding to the area.

You can look up your community by following this link
http://www.heartlandalliance.org/research/quick-data/