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Project CRAFT Praised by Florida Lawmakers
In April 20 testimony, the Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations of the Florida Senate heard from residents of the state who have seen first-hand the success of the Home Builder Institute's Project CRAFT (Community, Restitution, Apprenticeship Focused Training) in rehabilitating adjudicated youths and turning them into productive citizens.
Invited to testify by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, HBI program manager Tadar Muhammad provided examples of how Project CRAFT has maintained a record of high job placement and reduced recidivism rates even during a period of statewide budget cuts.
Joining Muhammad were Project CRAFT graduate Fontavius, who related to the committee how his enrollment in Project CRAFT helped him move forward with his life, and his mother, who credited the program with making a transformation in her son’s behavior and outlook that was “positively staggering.”
Fontavius completed his training in facility maintenance at Dozier School for Boys and currently resides in Tallahassee with his family. He is enrolled in GED classes through Tallahassee Community College at Tabernacle Church. Upon completion of the degree, he plans to attend Tallahassee Community College.
“Project CRAFT has a long track record assisting young people in making positive life changes,” said Muhammad. “We give our students the employment skills they need and allow them to retake ownership of their lives.”
Following the testimony, the committee affirmed Project CRAFT as a model rehabilitation program. Sen. Victor D. Crist, chairman of the committee, said that “putting young people to work is very important, and programs that achieve this goal are an essential part of the juvenile justice system.”
Members of the committee include: Vice Chair Sen. Frederica S. Wilson, Sen. Dennis L. Jones, Sen. Arthenia L. Joyner and Sen. J. Alex Villalobos.
“It’s a great honor to have the opportunity to dialogue with the Senate Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations,” said HBI Trustee Bill Paul. “Several committee members have supported Project CRAFT for many years, but it’s always nice to hear such strong support for our programs.”
Offered through HBI’s Workforce Training and Employment Department, Project CRAFT trains more than 500 youths annually in Florida and more than 90% of its graduates are placed in industry jobs, the military or school. As part of their Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), each year CRAFT students spend approximately 30,000 hours working on community service projects throughout the state.
HBI currently operates Project CRAFT programs in Florida onsite at the Avon Park Youth Academy, Red Road Academy and Dozier Academy and through community-based programs in Orlando and Tampa.
For more information on Project CRAFT, e-mail Dennis Torbett at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8908.
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