The Can Do effort is gaining momentum, as the Kids are beginning to understand more about the importance of graduating from high school. Based on current stats, only 60% of these kids are expected to graduate. However, the Can Do goal is for at least 80% of the Can Do Kids to graduate from high school, and at least 50% of them to attend college, junior college, or technical training. And recent U.S. Census data indicates that college graduates earn 70% more than high school grads. It’s worth the effort!

With the many gracious Can Do contributions, kids who currently face widening education gaps in Peoria will have future opportunities that were previously unavailable to them…via the $1,000 Can Do Scholarships! We now have 27 contributors who have committed to be “Can Doers,” committing to nine payments of $111 annually. (These folks will fully fund 27 x $1,000 Can Do Scholarships)

Since November 2002, the Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund has been launched to 183 fourth graders at Irving Primary School in Peoria, IL. Many of these Kids were reached in December2003 and 2004, as over 40 Can Do Christmas gifts worth $75 in food were delivered to the homes of Can Do Kids through collaboration with Angel Food Ministries & Dream Center Peoria, and Family Dollar stores.

On August 27, 2005, the third annual Can Do Walk & 5K will be on Peoria’s lovely Grandview Drive. Our goal is to fully fund all the $1,000 Can Do Scholarships for the 2005-2006 class of fourth graders at Peoria’s Irving Primary School.

During this 2004-2005 school year, the Can Do Kids have produced some colorful artwork for the Can Do Arts sale. Over 70 pieces will be on display and sold at local Peoria businesses April 17-May 1, 2005, with a social event at Lindsay’s on Liberty April 22nd evening. Finishing artwork drives creativity and discipline as well as self-esteem in the Can Do Kids. Plus, it reinforces to the Kids’ that if they complete their work, the Kids’ efforts ultimately help support the Can Do Scholarship Fund. O’Keeffe, Picasso, and Van Gogh are just a few names the Kids study in Art class at Irving. (In June 2004, the Can Do Scholarship Fund received its first $3,000 grant. We will utilize these funds to help promote the Can Do Arts program in 2005.)

Thanks again for your contribution to “Can Do”! It’s making a difference…

Jennifer Wilfong, Founder, Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund