Can Do Reaches 375 students, Going Global
November 20, 2007

Since November 2002, every student in the 2007-2008 fourth grade class at Irving Primary School had a smile on their face when they received the unique Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund $1,000 promise. When the current students graduate from high school in 2016 and enroll at an accredited post-secondary institution, they will receive a $1,000 Can Do Scholarship. For example, if students want to attend college, or junior college, or technical schools, the Can Do Scholarship will apply.

The first class of Can Do students is now freshmen. Plans are being put in place to meet with these students regularly to help them stay focused on graduating.

Also, the Can Do idea has been replicated. In Springfield, IL, inner city sixth graders are being offered similar $500 scholarship promises. Plus, a total of 30 students from the countries of Philippines, Morocco, and Ukraine will receive funded college educations. This global idea came to fruition when a Kuwait businessman learned more about Can Do. He was moved to do something across the world…and did it.

Can Do now has raised nearly $200,000, and is looking for volunteers who are willing to mentor the Can Do students now entering high school. We also are looking for sponsors, who would be willing to fund a full time executive director. This position would create a regular mentoring program, track graduation rates, and work with building the global network of Can Do students.

Mission: Hope. Graduate. Succeed. The mission of the Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund is to instill a "Can Do" attitude in Irving fourth graders to stay focused on graduating from high school so they can attend college or a technical training institution. The hope is that the "Can Do Kids" will graduate with job skills so that they may become positive, driving forces within their families and community.

Contact Information: For further information about the Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund, phone (309) 678-9607. All contributions (which are tax deductible) to the Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund, the Can Do Walk, and Can Do Arts are managed by the Community Foundation of Central Illinois.