The Becraft Scholars Program is thriving in its third year. Founded in 2020, Becraft is an equity-based, relationship-centered scholarship program that prioritizes students furthest from educational justice, with a focus on Black and African-American children.
The program has welcomed its third cohort, bringing the total of Becraft Scholars up to 35! Every student in each cohort receives an annual $5,000 scholarship from kindergarten-8th grade.
“Becraft Scholars is unique in that the program goes beyond scholarship, focusing heavily on empowerment and belonging,” said Alana Bell, Becraft Scholars program director. “Our partnerships with school leaders help ensure that not only our scholars thrive in their learning environments but that this collaborative effort positively impacts the entire school community.”
“Parents know that their family will be wrapped in extra care for nine years as their child grows both academically and spiritually in the community with others in their school, and within the Becraft family,” said Monica Wingard, principal of St. George Parish School. “Raising children is a hard job and it is through connection with others that families build a community of support and friendship that we pray lifts every family up and will last well beyond the nine years at our elementary schools. In lifting up families, we can build a foundation of support that springboards these children into a future with many educational opportunities.”
The Becraft program centers building community and support for its students and families. This year, the program has already hosted many relationship-building events, including the second-annual back-to-school picnic in August, an informational event in September, and a virtual family engagement night in November. A homebuying workshop, led by a Becraft parent, is set to take place in March.
“Building community is essential to the success of our program, but more importantly, the success of our students,” said Alana. “Every student deserves to feel a true sense of belonging in their community and Becraft Scholars intentionally centers relationship building in all that we do.”