CRA-WA-LA
VOLUNTEER MENTORS IN PROBATION
History
Under the leadership of Judge Philip
B. Benefiel, a community committee initiated a volunteer mentoring
program in Lawrence County in 1971. In 1973, Wabash and Crawford
counties joined the organization - hence the name Cra-Wa-La. In
1997, Cra-Wa-La was granted a contract with the Illinois Department
of Human services to provide "community development"
services to thirteen counties in Southern Illinois. In 1998, Richland
and Jasper counties joined the mentoring project and in 1999 Cra-Wa-La
was awarded a contract with the Department of Human Services to
provide Unified Delinquency Services (UDIS) to an eleven county
area in Southern Illinois.
Mission
Statement
Cra-Wa-La's mission and goal is
to improve the quality of life within its participating counties
by helping reduce crime, delinquency and recidivism
- Through a volunteer mentoring
program to assist individuals, primarily youth, on probation
or supervision, or otherwise at risk of criminal, delinquent
or anti-social behavior toward becoming responsible productive,
law-abiding citizens.
- Through providing wholesome, educational
and recreational youth activities, instructional courses and
other supplementary services to carry out Cra-Wa-La's goal.
Summary
of Services Provided
- One-on-one volunteer adult mentors
for at risk and troubled youth
- Youth Advocates for court and
DCFS referred at-risk and troubled youth
- Assistance in developing Community
Committees for Youth, Family Services, and Grassroots organizing
- Guidelines as to how meetings
are conducted; how to recognize, recruit and retain volunteers;
how to develop a Board of Directors and much more structural
information.
- Fundraising guidance, helpful
hints, assistance and workshops
- Grant Application Assistance and
Workshops
- Referrals to existing services
and programs
- Aid in program developments and
assessments
- Program planning-goal setting,
developing action plans and budgets
- Experience in developing and tabulating
Needs Assessment Surveys
- Resource Information
- Summer Food Services Program Sponsorship
- Parent/Community Advocacy
Board
Of Directors
More
to Come!
Staff