“Our mission is to make a life-long impact,” EYFO Co-Founder and President Charlett Shoecraft said.

Our Back2Besa crew was at the Empowering Youth and Families Outreach Summer Literacy Academy at Holly Park Community Church on Thursday, August 17th. The eight-week program focuses both on academic and social growth, providing students with an opportunity to fill in gaps, make up for academic loss, and get ahead for the upcoming school year. This year’s academy ended with a celebration and carnival, bringing students together to enjoy the sun and showcase what they learned.

Charlett Shoecraft, the Co-Founder of EYFO with her husband John, also highlighted the staff, many of whom are alumni of the program. She says seeing them come back and support the current students is one of the most fulfilling parts of her job.

“We have junior leaders who grew up in this program and are giving back to the community,” Charlett said. 

“I’m so blessed to be able to come back and work here,” High School intern Nia Grace Toye said. “I remember being younger and wanting to do this.”

Another former student, Teleah Royal, said she’s currently enrolled at a four year HBCU in Florida and wanted to simply stop by and say hi.

“This is literally my village,” Royal said. “I love seeing the fruits that are being labored here.”

For many former students, the program feels like home because the Shoecrafts have worked tirelessly to create a space in which they can feel comfortable. They began the program in churches around Seattle, and credit their generosity with its success. 

“This is a celebration of the kids. Part of what we want to do in terms is having them celebrate each other,” Charlett said. “Ideally what we’ve done is made a bridge, so that all the education they got last year they’re able to use in the next school year.”

You can learn more about EYFO on their page and their website: www.eyfo.org

This segment originally aired on Back2Besa with Besa Gordon. Make sure to tune in every Saturday at 10:30 pm on FOX 13 Seattle and again at 10 am on FOX 13+ for more segments like this.