In addition to her career as a marketing and brand management manager at Caterpillar, Jennifer Wilfong has another full-time passion as founder of the Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund. “After getting very ill in 2000, I searched for a way to truly make a difference well beyond my daily work at Cat. In July 2002, the Can Do 4:13 Scholarship Fund idea came to me in the middle of the night. The idea revolved around giving $1,000 scholarship promises to fourth graders, so they could use them after graduating from high school for their college, junior college, or technical training. I wanted to make a difference with a number of students—not just a few—so every fourth grader the last three years at Irving Primary School in Peoria has received the $1,000 Can Do Scholarship promise,” she explained.
She chose fourth graders as recipients after doing homework of her own. “We learned through some research that fourth and fifth graders can be mended. So, instead of giving a few $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors, making a difference to many youth on our near north side seemed to be the area where I wanted to concentrate.”
As part of the scholarship fund, Wilfong makes monthly contact with Irving students. “These visits range from taking my peers at Cat to the classrooms to share messages with the students on the importance of graduating from high school, diversity or summer camp leaders talking to the kids about college, leaders of African-American descent providing role models, or just bringing treats to let the students know they’re cared about,” she said.
Can Do was simply something she was called to do, Wilfong said. “My faith is very strong, and my favorite Bible phrase since high school has been, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Phil 4:13. What’s interesting is that I didn’t know anyone at District 150, nor did I even know where Irving Primary School was located. But I knew reaching out to kids can make a difference. As the only member in my immediate family who went to college and graduated, I’ve also come to appreciate the value of an education or a skill. The ultimate goal is for at least 50 percent of the Can Do kids to utilize the Can Do Scholarship, gain a skill/education, and become driving forces in their communities and families. How would the near north side change if 60 kids each year graduated and moved on to college or technical school? What if we spent $60,000 in Can Do Scholarships for 60 kids, instead of spending $65,000 a year in the future for one person to be incarcerated?”
She said the Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI), of which she’s now a board member, has played a key role in the launch of Can Do. “After doing some research, it was evident it would be too costly to start a foundation on my own. CFCI could handle this type of scholarship fund very easily; this is what they do every single day. They handle the contributions, which compound, and track the ongoing contributions. Plus, there are more than 600 community foundations throughout the U.S.A. that CFCI can learn from and share ideas.”
Like most not-for-profit organizations, Can Do is always in need of volunteers. “We have more than 20 volunteers, and they have their own special role, depending upon their talents and what they want to do. These volunteers have allowed Can Do to grow, and thank goodness for them. Our Can Do Walk at 9:30 a.m., August 27, on Grandview Drive will need volunteers for registration and gaining sponsorships,” Wilfong said.
She encouraged other young professionals to become more involved in the community. “We can make a difference—no matter our financial status or age. The key to anything successful is taking your idea or passion, and executing it so it’s of value to the community. Many people ask me how I got Can Do started. I requested two meetings to share my Can Do vision: one with the Community Foundation of Central Illinois and another one with District 150—and the rest is history. Another thing some may want to think about is how you can take your idea and collaborate with another fantastic agency or cause to create an even bigger impact in the community by filling a void that isn’t being fully addressed.”
The Can Do program has been so successful that a Chicago school is patterning a similar program after Wilfong’s idea. “The program is just getting started, and the school’s demographics are very similar to Irving School. They’re working with fourth graders, too, and also have ties to after-school programs with the local house of worship. This replication really inspires me to keep Can Do as the best example of a way the community can assist with public education and social problems. We can either complain about a problem, or we can be a part of the solution.”
She said the best part of her involvement in Can Do is when someone asks how they can help. “Also, I love it when the kids and I connect; they’re glad to see someone cares for them, believes in them, visits with them. Like everyone, they desire hope, so we’re trying to inspire a ‘Can Do’ attitude. The most challenging aspect is that being the founder could easily become a full-time job. My drive is to make this the most successful scholarship program ever by achieving results like all Can Do kids graduated from high school; that they changed the near north side; and that they saw local businesses like OSF, Methodist, District 150, Caterpillar, the developing downtown, and the riverfront as opportunities.”
Wilfong’s future plans for Can Do include additional funding and mentoring. “Continual funding is necessary—approximately $30,000 per year to sponsor a class,” she said. “And we now are looking at a variety of ways to mentor and stay in touch with the Can Do kids as they progress to middle, junior high, and high school. Wouldn’t it be great if we had Peoria area businesses line up to fund a class at $30,000 and then offer up employees to become mentors as the Can Do kids progress from fourth to 13th grade? If we have sponsors who step up, we can expand Can Do across the Peoria area where there are widening education gaps that need to be addressed. Education is a way to progress. If not, generational welfare and social problems will continue. We must help improve the graduation rate, so students have hope, gain a skill, and become driving forces in their families and communities.” For more information, call 444-8110 or visit www.cando413.com. TPW